Karabo Masehela, The Man Behind NWU's Rise...

by Athenkosi Tsotsi

One can only imagine the adrenaline and euphoria the players from NWU (North West University) were experiencing after they beat Kingborn FC to qualify for the last 32 of the Nedbank Cup, you can also go on to try and imagine how their 30 year old coach was feeling as he was going to play the biggest game of his coaching career.

"I have always had that dream of wanting to see the NWU soccer institute participating in the Nedbank cup some day. I remember while I was still a player for the institute, I wanted to revive my career through it but it did not materialise.  I then got the appointment of being a coach for the university and I stuck to the plan of putting Mafikeng on the map," these are the words of Nedbank Cup last 32 bound NWU coach Karabo Masehela.

The dream of seeing NWU participate in the Nedbank Cup for Masehela is going to come to life when his side tackle Black Leopards on 9 February at the Thohoyandou Stadium , talk about the power of having a vision and speaking things into existence.

Lots football of practitioners join the sports for different reasons, some join because of the monetary value that comes with it, some because the passion and living their childhood dreams but Masehela's involvement in football was due to wanting to make an impact in society.

"Football has always been my life since form the age of 6. I always wanted to play and make a difference in my community and change my family's life. Again send a message to the aspiring ones that it is possible if you love what you are doing,"

Masehela's influenced by the likes of  Kwanele Kopo; Jan Gosgens; Nico Labhom; Gavin Hunt; Serame Letsoaka; Jurgen Klopp; Pep Guardiola; and Fillipe Scolari. A true student of the game, the young coach has studied these greats and encompassed some of their qualities and characteristics, moulding him to be in tune with modern football.

"I basically look at a lot of coaches holistically and how they orchestrate their philosophies and apply on how their players want to play within the field of play. I have always been a Dutch football fan ever since, I have grown under them from a young age.

So I am more of a simple type of coach, who always strives for simplicity, to win a match, take the ball, pass the ball and move into space. I believe more in a simplified type of football where players replace each other especially in offensive positions to create goal scoring opportunities at the same time maintaining a structure according to the type of game model we are playing on that particular day," said the 30 year old about his style of play.

NWU are the reigning Varsity Cup champions and top of their respective league division and are still aiming for the top as they bid to become a dominant institute and play the the elite level of the fraternity according to their head honcho.

A future in football Karabo Masehela is something clearly has given his strong willed mentality "I am going to be coaching at the highest level. Ideally growing in Europe and making a name for myself because it is a career and I want to take care of it, learn more and grow,".

They are arguably one of many underdogs in this seasons Nedbank Cup but at same time NWU are one of the most exciting football prospects in the country. What can they achieve in the tournament, what are their objectives as an institute and individuals?

"An experience, growth for my boys and voicing out to the country that we are a project in progress that is coming to be reckoned as the best in the country," says Masehela.