It’s always exciting for fans to see former players graduate to be at the helm of the team they have played for, which is why NWU Mafikeng are so proud.
Three former players of the NWU Soccer Institute, based in Mafikeng, have been tasked with leading the team during Varsity Football 2019. This forms part of the team’s ‘Growing Own Timber’ project.
The three former players are Vuyolwethu Sambo who serves as the Soccer Institute Manager, Karabo Masehela who was recently appointed Head Coach of the team and Lawrence Mosala, the team manager.
Here’s how they moved from the field to the office…
Vuyolwethu Sambo
Vuyolwethu Sambo, the NWU Soccer Institute manager, started his football career in 2002 at SAFA’s School of Excellence in Johannesburg before being among the first NWU Soccer Institute intake in 2007.
Not content with just improving his football, Sambo obtained a Bachelor of Administration (BA) degree, and an Honours in Human Resource Management followed by another Honours in Public Administration degree. If that was not enough, Sambo further completed a Masters in Public Administration with the NWU and is currently registered for a PhD in Public Administration.
It was no surprise that when Sambo traded in his boots to focus full-time on off-field affairs in Mafikeng and the Noble Boys’ Varsity Football campaigns. His duties, amongst others, include formulating a strategic plan for the Soccer Institute as well as maintaining good communication between the team, sponsors and stakeholders.
Karabo Masehela
In June Karabo Masehela was officially appointed as the head coach of the NWU Soccer Institute having previously served an assistant coach to former head coach Monde Hlatshwayo. Still only 29, Masehela turned out in Soccer Institute kit for two seasons between 2015 and 2017.
Masehela, who was known as Skarra during his playing days as a left-footed defender also had a stint as a professional player. He emerged through SuperSport United’s academy, at a time when they were partnered with Dutch giants Feyenoord and English powerhouses Tottenham Hotspur. While he was promoted to their first team in 2009, Masehela largely made his name on loan at FC Cape Town and University of Pretoria before a stint at Thanda Royal Zulu.
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The highlights of Masehela’s playing career were seeing SuperSport United win back-to-back-to-back League titles while he was there. He also represented the South Africa National under-17, under-20 and under-23 soccer teams during his football-playing years.
In addition to attending an introductory coaching course organised by the Soccer Institute, the new head coach will also receive his National Diploma in Sports Science during the NWU’s spring graduation ceremony in 2019.
Lawrence Mosala
Having taken over as team manager in 2018, Lawrence Mosala is another founder player of the NWU Soccer Institute who has graduated to the administration structures.
While he was playing, Mosala first completed a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree, then attained his Honours and Masters in Information System at NWU. He is currently registered for a PhD.
Highlighting his ability to juggle, Mosala combines his occupation as a lecturer with his duties as team manager for the Noble Boys. This includes administration of the team, organising and coordinating all the team’s programmes, handling the logistics of the team, coordinating the team games and their training programme and organising of sport grounds and equipment.
By Phenyo Mokgothu
