Fort Hare’s chess players will chase that hitherto elusive USSA team medal when the tournament gets underway later this week.
The club’s preparations have been disrupted by supplementary exams being written later than usual this year, but coach Xhanti Mafongosi believes there is enough fire power within the ranks for them to become the first Fort Hare team to do so.
Ten men and eight women will be deployed on the history-making crusade at Tshwane University in Pretoria.
Having made the podium his own during his time at the institution, former student Kulasande Mafanya is Fort Hare’s most decorated player at the University Sports South Africa champs.
However, Mafongosi is determined to put Fort Hare’s name up in lights as a collective by grabbing a place in the top three in the five-day event.
He is also confident that some of his charges can make the cut for the national student side to be selected in early-2025.
Fort Hare’s men placed a credible 10th out of 24 varsities last year, while the women had an even better run in ending fifth.
The wily Mafongosi did not want to give too much away tactics-wise but confirmed that they had been working on strategy for months.
Justice Mawere has his game face on as he prepares for the USSA chess championships starting in Pretoria later this week. Photo: Full Stop Communications
The team have been on an extended training camp in East London, with those having to write supps or conduct research for honours degrees making the trip to Alice as and when needed.
Given that students ordinarily have a two-and-a-half-week gap between the end of exams and start of USSAs, it is far from ideal. However, their commitment to the cause is unwavering.
“We are working on our game every day from 8am till 9pm but even when I give the team breaks, they are playing chess,” Mafongosi said.
“Some even call me after midnight to ask questions. I have always told them, ‘I am here for you; if you don’t bother me, I can’t assist you’.”
The coach said there had been several surprise additions to his squad as up-and-coming players had started ousting some of Fort Hare’s seasoned campaigners.
As unpleasant as it was to leave club members behind, he said a tournament of this standing called for a highly competitive infantry even if they had little to no USSA combat experience.
Mafongosi said there were some extremely talented “new kids on the block” but wanted them to remain his secret weapon ahead of their trip to Pretoria.
He is desperate for his players to be recognised at national level.
“I see a lot of potential in this group. We will see how everything unfolds.”
The top eight finishers in the USSAs will be whittled down to the final four in the new year by way of a head-to-head competition. This quartet will then serve as the USSA team.
Full team
Men: Justice Mawere, Inam Sifatyi, Raphadu Ramasindi, Afika Mxenge, Simamkele Solomon, Emihle Sahluko, Simangaliso Zitha, Romeo Tokoyi, Talent Magxala and Siyamamkela Ntsunguzi.
Women: Zinathi Mbaba, Zandi Ncokotwane, Vuyelwa Dladla, Palesa Mokhothu, Nonhle Madlala, Elona Mayisela, Siphosihle Forosi and Sipahle Magazi.