TUT midfielder Thabang ‘Slu’ Motau was enjoying the perks of being a professional footballer but felt he needed to uplift himself academically.
Motau had completed a Diploma at UJ before signing a deal with Mpumalanga Black Aces for the 2011/12 season before moving to the Cape to continue his journey in the National First Division with FC Cape Town in the 2012/13 and 2013/14 seasons.
However, his journey to TUT began as far back as 2004 when he was part of the Moroka Swallows Youth Development setup.
“I have always love this game and was fortunate to be with Moroka Swallows as part of their Youth Development structure from 2004 until 2010.
“After that I was fortunate to receive a contract from Mpumalanga Black Aces, who were playing in the NFD at that time and that is where I was noticed by FC Cape Town and decided to move to Cape Town. It’s really tough playing in the NFD because everyone is playing for higher honours and every club wants to gain promotion to the PSL,” Motau told varsitysportssa.com.
Motau admits that leaving the NFD was a tough decision to make but his academic goals are equally important to him and a sacrifice was needed.
“It was probably the toughest decision I have had to make because now there is no constant income but it is all worth it as I have set myself academic goals which I am now achieving. So I am more than happy with the choice I made,” he added.
The TUT student believes Varsity Football is the ideal platform for players to be noticed and picked up by professional clubs and stated a former Varsity Football player as his role model.
“When I was watching this tournament in 2013, I took a keen interest in Thabo Mnyamane when he was playing for NWU-Mafikeng. I followed his career from that point and he should serve as an inspiration to all players that it is possible to become a professional footballer and also graduate from a University,” he stated.
