TUT captain Khuliso Rashamuse told us about his teams’ performance in Varsity Football, the standard of football and their aspirations of winning the trophy.

The Limpopo-born midfielder also spoke about the  exposure offered by Varsity Football and his personal goals for his soccer career.

varsitysportssa.com: Congratulations of your great win against NWU Mafikeng.

Rashamuse: Thank you very much. We worked hard during the match and I think we deserved the victory. Congratulations to my teammates for a job well done

varsitysportssa.com: You guys seemed to have got it right in terms of your game plan against a strong team like NWU. What was the secret behind the victory against your visitors on Monday?

Rashamuse: Going to play against NWU was not going to be an easy job. They are a very good team that deserves respect. But I think on the day we wanted it most and couldn’t afford to disappoint our own supporters. They are very good in knocking the ball around and we had to stop them playing their normal game. We made sure we put pressure on them from first minute, close down spaces when they were having possession and catch them on counter when we get the ball. Our plan worked well and hence we managed to get the three points.

varsitysportssa.com: You have gone three games unbeaten but which team has given you the toughest match so far?

Rashamuse: All the three teams that we have played against  including Tuks, UWC and NWU have been tough.I must say all the three teams have been hard nut to crack and made us sweat for the victory.

varsitysportssa.com: TUT is currently on top of the Varsity Football Cup log, how does it feel to be number one in such prestigious tournament?

Rashamuse: It’s exciting but also challenging at the same time! It’s a challenge on its own as it means that we must maintain the top spot. It also  give sort of caution to other teams to prepare more when they are to play against us, so we must expect more  of a serious challenge from opposition teams in our next games.

varsitysportssa.com: What are your ambitions as a team in this tournament?

Rashamuse: It’s definitely to win this tournament. The fact that we are on the top spot now does not mean we should be big headed but we need to maintain the discipline, take one game at a time and keep focused.

varsitysportssa.com: You have now won two man of the match awards in the tournament, how does it feel to receive accolades?

Rashamuse: It’s great but I am not going to take all the credit as this was with the assistance of my team mates and technical team without forgetting the team supporters. Much respect to them!

varsitysportssa.com: How do you feel about your responsibilities being the captain for TUT?

Rashamuse: TUT being one of the biggest universities in SA, I am honoured to lead the team. Although it comes with responsibilities and challenges as you need to be a leader on and off the field. The biggest challenge is to be a mediator between my teammates and university management.

varsitysportssa.com: What are your personals goals in your soccer career?

Rashamuse: It has always been my dream to play for a professional team.

varsitysportssa.com: Do you think this kind of tournament will help you achieve your dreams in football?

Rashamuse: Most definitely! The tournament has afforded both the teams and players great exposure. In my personal view,the tournament is almost close to the PSL in terms of marketing and gaining popularity than our Mvela league (First Division league). It’s an opportunity for everyone who is playing in the tournament to get a chance to expose his talent especially that the games are also televised by Supersport.I am sure by the end of the tournament some of PSL teams would have recruited some players from some of the teams playing the competation.

varsitysportssa.com: Which team do you think is the main threat to TUT’s aspirations to win the Varsity Football tournament?

Rashamuse: All seven teams are a threat, as for us to achieve our goal we will have to go through all of them.

varsitysportssa.com: How do you feel about the standard of football in the Varsity Football Cup tournament?

Rashamuse: We have seen good football thus far. Teams are prepared and they are taking this tournament seriously. The games are well organized. Big up to the organizing committee and participants.

varsitysportssa.com: Do you think this kind of tournament is going to improve the standard of football in the country?

Rashamuse: Looking at good and quality players such as Majoro, Mashamaite, Tau, Monyai etc who are the products of university football, it gives hope to the nation in terms of football improvement in the country.

varsitysportssa.com: The games are also been televised on Supersport, how does it feel as a player being watched on TV by millions of soccer fans not only in South Africa but across the continent?

Rashamuse: Like I spoke of exposure before, this will not just be a national exposure but a global one as well. It encourages us to do our best for better and increase the number of our fans. This is a good tool to market SA  universities

varsitysportssa.com: Your next game is against UFS  at home on Monday and what can we expect from TUT in this game?

Rashamuse: A grand stand full of our supporters. As for the technical and tactical point of view of the game, I will leave that one for my coach Mr Moloi.

By Ernest Fakude