Amogelang Motau: UWC return home with heads held high

The students managed to register one win, but suffered two defeats as they finished third in Group A, missing out on the semi-finals by three points. 

Motau says the continental showpiece was a good exercise that will help the University outfit as they target the Hollywoodbets Super League title next season.

"First of all, being here was already an achievement for the team, something we've been working towards over the past three years," said Motau.

"So this tournament was an end of a cycle for us, that we needed to close and come to the highest level we could play as a team.

"We knew it was not going to be easy, and having gone through what we went through as a team, where we lost such key players due to injuries and others going to greener pastures, we knew it was going to be a challenge.

"But every team is made up of 23-26 players, and we came into the tournament and played for each other, that's why we can walk away with our heads held high and saying we did our best.

"We'll forever have this experience, and hopefully it will help us next year going into the new Hollywoodbets Super League season as well."

The Banyana Banyana midfielder also relished the experience of competing against the continent’s best clubs.

"Playing in this tournament is really important, not just for the team but also the individuals that have not been on such stages before," she added.

"I think, one thing about experience is that you can't buy it, you need to earn it, and being part of this tournament earned that experience for the team, and the individuals to show what we're made of in South Africa and the type of skills and players we have.

"Obviously things didn't end the way we wanted it to, but, again, we'll take the lessons with us."

READ: Thinasonke Mbuli proud of UWC players despite early exit