Tuks defender Katlego Machaka is one of the team’s most spoken-about players despite the record champions slow start to this year’s Varsity Football campaign.
The versatile left-back joined Tuks in January from ABC Motsepe League side, Mamelodi Newcastle. Before that he had made an instant impact at Mamelodi All Stars when they won the Men’s Regional SAB SAFA Tshwane League in 2018/19, which saw them gaining promotion to ABC Motsepe League.
He says Varsity Football has made more people aware of his capabilities despite him being played in various roles.
“My best moment is Varsity Football because lately, I get comments from people I don’t know based on my performance, and that has boosted my confidence to do better even more,” Machaka told Varsity Football.
“I started as a left-back, I played as a winger and I played as a number 10 until I finally got converted back to my natural position left-back. Recently coach used me as a both winger and left-back.”
The 23-year-old Mamelodi-born would not realise his admiration of playing in Varsity Football if it wasn’t for former Tuks player, Thabo Ndlovu who won two Varsity Football titles with the Stripe Generation – their maiden Varsity Football title in the inaugural Varsity Football season in 2013 and the one in 2014.
Head coach Nicholas Stothard was in search of a left-back for the upcoming 2022 season and Ndlovu suggested checking out Machaka, who was still with Mamelodi Newcastle at the time.
“Coach Nic and Thabo were talking about getting a left-back, and Thabo Ndlovu recommended me. I got in touch with coach Nic and he invited me for a friendly match where I only played the last 15 minutes,” he explains.
“After five minutes that’s when he was satisfied. After the game he told me what to do so I can be in the Varsity Football team. At that time I was still playing in the ABC Motsepe League. In January, I came to Tuks as a fully Tuks player.”
Stothard says Machaka only needed 15 minutes to convince the coaches he’s the perfect fit for their team.
“We call him Bhasera, we gave him the name in that 15 minutes he played in the friendly,” he said.
“Thabo is a former teammate of mine, he is from his community, Mamelodi so he recommended him to me. He was impressed, at that time he was contracted to the ABC Motsepe League side.
“Thabo and Jeremiah Nkwana set him down and he came to join us simply because of the value of playing football and gaining an education.”
“We did not have an issue with him coming to us, he couldn’t play for us earlier because he could not play for three teams in one season.”
Machaka was born and raised in Mamelodi. He saw 2009 as the toughest year of his life when he lost his younger brother. It was in 2010 when he fell in love with football, particularly the moment Siphiwe Tshabalala scored the opener against Mexico in the first match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
“I had two siblings and one passed away in 2009 that was the toughest year of my life,” he recalls.
“I recognised my talent and belief in football during the FIFA World Cup, watching players like Siphiwe Tshabalala playing on the biggest stage. Since then, the game has shaped my life better.
“My dream is to play in the PSL, I would be really happy with any club in the Premier Soccer League.”
Machaka also explains that though he is playing for himself, it would be a great honour for his late brother.
“I was taught that when I do something I have to do it for myself first so that whoever is around me can be happy for me. I know he is proud of me where he is now. I just have to make him proud,” he explains.
It did not take long for the left-back to settle at Tuks and compete in Varsity Football.
“It felt like home from the first day. The coach was welcoming to me and everyone else. It means a lot for me to play on the prestigious Varsity football, it has been a good journey for me so far. I think we are finally getting our rhythm, especially after the game against NWU.
“We showed character and if we do that in the coming games, we will stand a good chance to win the title. Going to the game against VUT, if we get a win. We will make sure we give our all. It will boost us for the TUT game,” concluded Machaka.
Tuks, who lost their first two games but found back to winning ways in round three, take on VUT at Tuks Stadium at 18:30 on Thursday.
You can get information on how to get tickets here.
By Lehlogonolo Ditshego
