Nthabeleng Modiko's youthful approach benefits University of Johannesburg

This is according to UJ head coach Nthabeleng “Dunga” Modiko, as she reflected on their promising start so far, which has seen them win four of their first five matches.

They are currently third on the log, tied on 12 points with the second-placed University of Western Cape and a point behind log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

Modiko says the youthful squad has brought a big change.

"We lost a large number of our squad and it was mostly senior players, so we had to rely on the young players. They are the ones that have been grinding and giving us the results that we are looking for. They're hungrier, they're younger and they're energetic," she said.

UJ finished fifth on the log last season, a whole 31 points behind Sundowns but this season there are promising signs, already being the second-highest goal scorers in the league with 17 goals and the second-best defensive record, having only conceded three goals.

"I've been saying to the girls daily, you want to have the hunger for it. You want to not be happy when you concede and you want to be able to work so well. All of our girls are training drills, we've been doing them throughout pre-season and mostly again last year, so it's just a continuation of it," she added.

This weekend, UJ is traveling away to another improved outfit in Richmond United, who have already won two matches and also lost two this season. Interestingly, Modiko says this is going to be a clash between the master and the student.

"They're a big team, coach Edwin Lisene was my coach at Bloemfontein Celtics. I have a lot of respect for him, he knows that. He's someone that I look up to. Playing against a former coach sometimes can put me in an uncomfortable position but I'm really honored to be standing up against him. I think it will be a master against a learner," she concluded.