As an affiliated football club under the SAFA (South African Football Association) Vhembe Region, the University of Venda (UNIVEN) Football Club (FC) has recently participated at the SAFA Vhembe SAB League Group Winners and Champ of Champs play-offs. The first three games were played on Friday, 16 June and on Sunday, 18 June 2023.
Staff members and Students went out in numbers to support UNIVEN FC
During the 2022/23 season, the club played 26 games with an impressive winning record, and they were crowned the champions after winning the Stream D-2 League. UNIVEN FC progressed to participate at the SAFA Vhembe SAB Group Winners and Champ of Champs Play Offs which is a historic moment in the history of the University of Venda.
UNIVEN FC players celebrating after winning a group winners play offs match
On Friday, 16 June 2023 UNIVEN FC played their first SAFA Vhembe SAB Group Winners Play Offs game against Tshivhazwaulu Peace Makers and won 1-0. This game took place at Malamulele Stadium. After this impressive win, the team proceeded to play the Champ of Champs Play Offs where they were placed under Group C and were fixtured to play two games. In the morning of Sunday, 18 June 2023, the team played its first game at Tshifudi Stadium against Eagles United FC and the match ended with a score sheet of 0-0 draw. The second game was played against Merwe United FC in the afternoon of the same day at the same stadium. During this game, UNIVEN FC won 2-0 resulting in the team being crowned the champions of Group C Champ of Champs Play Offs. That means UNIVEN FC has now qualified to play the semifinal with the remaining best top four teams. A win from this semifinal guarantees UNIVEN FC a place to play the Finals of the SAFA Vhembe SAB Group Champ of Champs Play Offs. The winner of the SAFA Vhembe SAB Group Champ of Champs Play Offs will represent SAFA Vhembe at the SAFA Limpopo promotional playoffs. Teams that will finish first and second will be promoted to play in the ABC Motsepe League (formerly known as Vodacom League) which is a professional third tier league of the Premier Soccer League in South Africa.
The Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Dr Bernard Nthambeleni congratulated UNIVEN FC and said that the University will make necessary resources available in support of UNIVEN FC. He encouraged staff and students to continue supporting UNIVEN FC. “Congratulations on your well-deserved victory. I wish you all the best and keep on making UNIVEN proud. Your hard work and perseverance have paid off. I am incredibly proud of you,” said Dr Nthambeleni.
UNIVEN FC in blue kit playing in front of a fully packed Malamulele Stadium
Photo supplied: UNIVEN FC players posing for a group photo at Malamulele Stadium
Photo supplied: UNIVEN FC players posing for a group photo at Tshifudi Stadium
