BCC MEN’S FOOTBALL TEAM GAINS PROMOTION TO HOLLYWOOD BETS LEAGUE

The WSU Buffalo City Campus men's football team achieved a significant milestone by gaining promotion to the Hollywood Bets League after a highly successful season.

Despite facing numerous challenges, their commitment to consistency, hard work, and dedication paid off.

After an arduous season consisting of 44 games in the amateur ranks of the Gompo Local Football League, the team recorded only one league loss. They accumulated an impressive total of 119 points, winning 39 matches, drawing four, and losing just once.

The regular league season began in August of last year and concluded in April. This was followed by the LFA Playoffs in June, which featured a mini-league of 12 teams. The WSU team excelled once more, winning eight and drawing two of their ten playoff games.

Team captain Kuhle Deyi, a third-year ICT student, stated, "I believe the key to our success this season was having a clear goal of what we wanted to achieve, along with a well-defined plan to reach that goal. Our hard work and commitment to each other and the university ultimately led us to promotion."

Deyi emphasized that a respectful and positive environment was crucial for the team's success. He fostered camaraderie and believed in every player on the squad.

One of Deyi's most inspiring moments came during the final game of the playoffs against a well-prepared Strikers FC. In a highly charged match attended by a lively crowd, the team managed to secure a draw, with Deyi scoring to earn a valuable point.

"This season has taught me that if I believe in myself and work hard, anything is achievable," Deyi remarked.

Coach Philasande “Jingles” Matshaya attributed the team's success to thorough physical, tactical, and mental preparation.

He noted that participation in the University Sports South Africa (USSA) Football Championships was invaluable, providing the team  with insights that gave them an edge over their opponents.

"We worked diligently to ensure our players' minds were prepared for the challenges ahead. While physical preparation is important, nurturing and directing that physical ability to achieve our goals requires a strong mindset," Matshaya explained.

Ayabulela Nkabane, sports administrative assistant and BCC football coordinator, praised the team’s efforts, describing their promotion as a “significant achievement that reflects the team’s growth and readiness to compete at a higher level.”

However, despite this impressive milestone, several challenges threaten to hinder the team’s aspirations. Nkabane emphasized the need to address these issues through various interventions.

He pointed out, “There’s a shortage of training equipment and limited access to training venues, especially because players are located far apart between East London and Potsdam. Additionally, we faced challenges with squad depth, as the team sometimes had only four players available on the bench.”

By Thando Cezula