Second String Orlando Pirates Edge Wits University FC to Claim Annual Spirit Game Honours

• Wits FC and Orlando Pirates clashed in another mouth-watering encounter when the two sides strode out for the 2022 edition of the Wits Spirit Game
• The Soweto-based side was unable to add to their tally of one goal as inclement weather disrupted play at the Wits Stadium in Johannesburg
• In an exclusive interview with Sports Brief, Wits mentor Alzavian van Rheede said the match was a welcome run ahead of the upcoming season

Wits University FC and Orlando Pirates served up an exciting contest that ended 1-0 in favour of the Buccaneers in the latest instalment of the Wits Spirit Game in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.

The boys in blue and gold dug deep in their own backyard in pursuit of glory at the expense of their more illustrious opponents but saw a premature disruption to their plans as the weather ensured an end to the match midway through the second period at the Wits University Football Stadium.

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For Wits centre back Kal Laing, although rueing not coming face to face with some of the Soweto giants’ biggest names, the friendly match was as pulsating as any he’s been involved in, to date.

Sports Brief caught up with the 24-year-old and Wits mentor Alzavian van Rheede on the heels of the exciting contest. Both men revealed that playing in front of a boisterous crowd after being an 11th man poorer for much of the last 24 months was a welcome development.

“The atmosphere was definitely electric and almost felt like a new feeling after playing football behind closed doors for close to two years,” an excited Laing recalled of the affair.

“Pirates brought their A-game, as expected, which allowed us to test ourselves. But disappointingly, they did not bring any first-team players. Having one or two [in the game] would’ve made the encounter even more interesting.”

Wits closed out the 2021 Varsity Football season in fifth place, a mere one point behind tournament show-stoppers, TUT, and a further four behind eventual winners and Johannesburg rivals, UJ, after seven rounds of games. The current spirit in the camp has given Laing an extra sliver of confidence for the season ahead.

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“I am extremely excited for what is to come from our Varsity Football side this year. There have been a few young, talented boys brought in to strengthen the squad, and I look forward to being there as part of the old guard, playing my role in guiding the side to victory,” the fourth-year student told Sports Brief.

“We’ve developed a short history over the years for always falling at the last hurdle and at critical points in tournaments. So, this year, I look forward to getting over those hurdles and bringing some silverware home,” Laing added, vocal about his hopes to end his last year at the university on a high.

One man who will be hoping Laing and other final-year athletes sign off in grand style is Wits FC mentor, Alzavian van Rheede, who traded any disappointment he may have had in the outcome for something approaching optimism.

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“Tactically, we tried our best to find balance in the team with the players we had available. It was a good opportunity for our Varsity Football team to play in a stadium environment that had so many people,” said van Rheede noting the ongoing development in the side.

“Varsity Football has a similar vibe, and the match was important to help with the development of our first-year students. One can always look back and question certain tactics, and so on, but we look forward and continue to try and develop the individuals and squad from this encounter.”

Speaking on the new faces pulled into the set-up, van Rheede said things were looking sharp thanks to the goalkeeping prospects who joined Wits from Cape Town Spurs and Randburg FC, respectively.

The backline has also been beefed up for the rest of the season with Wade Poole, a centre back who captained Kaizer Chiefs’ under-19 team before joining Wits, another exciting revelation.

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“He is a player with a lot of leadership qualities and an amazing personality that goes hand in hand with the culture we are trying to build at Wits University.”

Pirates fans still not convinced with coaching staff despite comeback win vs SuperSport United

Elsewhere, Sports Brief previously reported that Pirates supporters are still not convinced that co-coaches Mandla Ncikazi and Fadlu are "it". The Buccaneers came from behind to defeat SuperSport United 3-2 in a thrilling DStv Premiership match at Orlando Stadium last night.

Having gone down 2-0 inside 17 minutes via goals from SuperSport's Kegan Johannes and Ghampani Lungu, two penalties from Deon Hotto and a last-minute hit from Goodman Mosele stole all three points for the Sea Robbers.

Despite all of this, the same chronic ailments dogging Pirates manifested themselves, particularly on defence.