Cricket trophy comes new UJ home
JOBURG – New coach’s ways are already resulting in success and a more cohesive team.
UJ has been crowned the cricket champions of the 2021/2022 Enza Premier League.
The University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) cricket team is proud of the season they had, bringing the silverware home. Having started the season in fine fashion, they secured the trophy on March 13 after beating Old Parktonian Cricket Club with 5 wickets. UJ club manager and men’s cricket team head coach Siyabonga Sibiya said, “It is quite a surreal feeling for the boys [UJ cricket players]. It is more about the club, the university, and the players. This is special and we are really happy that we could achieve this.”
The team played 15 games throughout the league, winning 10 games against clubs such as the Old Parktonian, Jeppe, Marks Park, Gunn and Moore Old Edwardians, Wanderers, Soweto Pioneers, Kagiso and Big Boom Lenasia. In the league, UJ only lost to Wits, Jeppe and Big Boom Lenasia Cricket. One game was abandoned on January 30, 2022 against Randburg Cricket Club due to bad weather.
Sibiya said, “At UJ, there’s a winning mentality culture which is always on our players’ and staff’s minds. Although we do not want to worry our players to think about it every time they play, we know that the end goal is to win the league. We spoke about earning the respect of our cricket community and we have done just that.”
Sibiya, who joined the UJ Cricket Club in September last year, said one of the objectives he had for the team was to build a stronger, balanced and cohesive team. This included working on the players’ cricket IQ and adopting his philosophy quicker. This, he said, had an impact on leading the team to win the league. Before starting with a six-week strength-training programme, the players will enjoy a two-week break. He said, “I would like to win another trophy or two in the near future. However, right now we continue to build the team and nurture a culture that knows winning as the only option. We’re also still enjoying this moment after being crowned champions of the ENZA Premier League.”
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