UJ want to make home advantage count to lift 2nd title

Former Banyana Banayana coach Anna Monate is looking to go further with the University of Johannesburg this season and feels hosting the showpiece is a major advantage.

The highly respected coach left tournament giants Tshwane University of Technology for a new challenge at UJ but fell at the semi-final stage in her first tournament.

Having lost 2-1 to the University of Pretoria after a late own-goal, they will now be aiming to challenge TUT and reigning champions University of the Western Cape to lift their second title.

Anna Monate joined UJ from TUT because she wanted a new challenge.

The 53-year-old mother of two boys will be the oldest coach in this year’s Women’s Varsity Football tournament and is eager to help UJ win their second title.

“Yes it’s an advantage [for our squad] with everything like we train, play there and are used to the weather and environment,” the coach who steered Banyana between 2006 and 2008 said.

“Most of the players are the regulars in both structures of our league senior side and development side and we train together.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Monate has warned there’s more than one to look out for amongst a talented crop of players Shannon Maccom, Angela Munaisi, Thubelihle Shimase and Sphumelele Shimase are the ones she feels will be the difference makers.

DID YOU KNOW?

UJ won the inaugural Varsity Football women’s tournament in 2013.

TEAM FACT FILE

Nickname: Orange Army

Province: Gauteng

Appearances: Eight (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021)

Titles: 1

Biggest win: 6-0 against TUT

Biggest loss: 4-0 against TUT

2022 SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Elizabeth Mazivise, Avela Wotini, Bontle Hobyane

Defenders: Lerato Lefa, Shannon Macomo, Kabelo Mokoena, Lungile Khumalo, Boitumelo Rasehlo, Ntsandeni Munasi, Queen Ntsoelikane

Midfielders: Bryden Mokobi, Sthembile Sandleni, Sphumelele Shamase, Ayesha Moosa, Mbali Sibindi, Nontobeko Mthabela, Liya Sarfudin Fikile Bapela

Forwards: Thubelihle Shamase, Lesego Nhlapo, Refilwe Maseko, Nazneen Khan, Zara Wilkinson, Petunia Mabasa.

TECHNICAL TEAM

Head coach: Anna Monate

Assistant coach: Delisile Mbatha, Nthabeleng Modiko

Goalkeeper coach: Lucky Shiburi

Physical Conditioner: Kgotuwe Tswai

Physiotherapist: Sibongile Jongwa

Compliance officer: Mpho Mohalane

Video analyst: Oriel Bagani

Media Officer: David Sootho

Kit manager: Mpho Mohalane

Team manager: Alphina Mokwena