South Africa’s premier university football competition is back, bigger and better with the 2024 Varsity Football tournament set to kick-off on 25 July. Brace yourself for the hottest diski action featuring the top varsity stars and the iyachesa fans will once again enjoy fierce live football on the edge of their seats.
Lisa Roux, head of Varsity Sports, highlights the incredible opportunities and life-changing impact of the men's and women's football tournaments.
“Varsity Football is the birthplace of future football stars and the stage where their talents shine. It’s a place where dreams take flight, and lives are transformed. This season will not just be another competition; it will be a celebration you can’t afford to miss! The #iyachesa atmosphere, the community spirit, and the limitless potential that defines Varsity Football.”
In the men’s tournament, TUT, UWC, DUT, CUT, UP Tuks, UFS, NWU Mafikeng and VUT will take on each other over seven rounds between 25 July and 26 September. The semi-finals against the top four teams are scheduled for 12 September while the final will be contested on 26 September. All matches take place on Thursdays with featured games broadcast live on SuperSport. All non-televised games will be live streamed on the SuperSport Schools App.
Men's defending champions TUT will be looking to continue where they left off last season as they open the campaign against UWC at home. The Tshwane based side defeated the relegated UJ in a penalty shootout (5-4) in the 2023 Varsity Football final at the UJ Soweto Stadium.
Head coach Bushy Moloi believes this will be the season to give back to their students.
"Over the years we have made sure that we create a solid foundation and well-rounded atmosphere as Home of Champions, development as the key point," he said. "So, this year's championship is all about giving back to our students and our Head of Department, Mr Kgomo [Kegoikantse] for all the support given. We expect everyone to come at us and so we will respect that.”"Different from all other seasons, we have more for the first time, and we want to restart the cycle. We are working more on the system and finding new combinations."
In the women's tournament, CPUT, CUT, NWU Potchefstroom, Wits, UWC, UJ, TUT and UP-Tuks will battle it out in a firecracker four days with the showpiece set to start on the 26 July to 29 July, with the final showdown will take place on 9 August. All games are to be played at TUT.
UWC will be eager to come out guns blazing and look to defend their trophy after the Cape based outfit defeated UJ 2-0 in the final at the TUT Stadium.
Goals from Lonathemba Mhlongo and Katlego Mabuza saw Thinasonke Mbuli's charges lift the trophy in Pretoria.
Mbuli says the side will look into reinforcing the squad this season as they look to defend their title. "New Year means new players. We will go into this tournament with some new players that have joined us in 2024, you expect one or two promising young players - a new talent that we have recruited," she said. "Yes, new faces and 50% from last year's team. We have played in the finals many times, and we would love to win it back-to-back, I know it will be very difficult because we have a new team, but that’s the dream."
Apart from the football action, fans can once again look forward to the #IyachesaFAN challenge at games and on social media, as well as some great exciting promotions from sponsors FNB, Suzuki and Cashbuild who have thrown their weight behind the foremost university football competition in South Africa.
The opening round of the 2024 Varsity Football tournament on 25 July will see the following action:
NWU vs UFS (17:00) - NWU Mafikeng Stadium
DUT vs CUT (19:15) - CUT Stadium
UP Tuks vs VUT (18:30) - Tuks Stadium
TUT vs UWC (19:15) - TUT Stadium
For all the 2024 fixtures click HERE.
For tickets check the Varsity Sports website and social media pages for announcements.
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