With the Varsity Football having started on 21 July 2022, the North-West University (NWU) are the only team left in the tournament with a 100% record.
NWU has won two opening games so far, first collecting a 2-1 win against Wits University at the Wits Stadium in round 1 before beating the University of Free State (UFS Kovsies) 2-0 at NWU Mafikeng Stadium in the second round.
NWU Eagles have only conceded one goal, while TUT hasn’t even conceded after keeping two clean sheets in the last two games.
According to NWU coach Karabo Masehela, Luzuko Jevuka’s safe hands are the focal point of the defence of the team in this year’s tournament.
“I can guarantee all our supporters that the NWU team’s defence is based on Luzuko, our number one goalkeeper. His experience is invaluable,” says Masehela.
Jevuka was between the poles when the NWU Eagles won their first Varsity Football tournament in 2019.
Luzuko ‘Styles’ Jevuka is originally from the Eastern Cape, but grew up in Thaba, Tshwane in Pretoria, and joined the NWU Soccer Institute in 2016.
“During the first two years at the NWU, I was unable to play a single official match due to the intense rivalry among the goalkeepers. After finally getting a chance to play in 2018, I gave it my all and never looked back,” says Jevuka.
He explains that the two years he played for the NWU were not as easy as he had anticipated, but they were essential in shaping his current perspective.
“Imagine practising every day for two years and never playing a game or, most of the time, even not making the squad,” he adds. “There were times when I wanted to quit, but I reminded myself that I had worked too hard to simply give up.”
Jevuka made his Varsity Football debut in the third round of the 2019 Varsity Football tournament and he hasn’t looked back ever since, helping his side to win the title that year. “The final on 26 September 2019 was the opportunity I needed to join the ranks of NWU history makers.”
He was also awarded a Golden Glove prize during the 2019 University Sports South Africa competition and initially signed for the Glad Africa Championship team, Mbombela United. Since then he has also played in the ABC League for the NWU and Dondol Stars.
NWU return to action on Thursday, when they will face UP Tuks, who had a horrible start to the tournament, at Tuks Stadium at 18:30.
You can get information on how to get tickets here.
By Phenyo Mokgothu.
