From classroom to the pitch, soccer star’s goal is beyond the game
From Diepsloot’s dusty fields to TUT’s soccer pitch, Mwelisi Thusini is chasing his dream while aiming to inspire the next generation.
From the dusty grounds of Diepsloot, to chasing dreams on the soccer field, 21-year-old Mwelisi Thusini’s journey is one of passion, perseverance, and purpose.
A second-year Bachelor of Education (BEd) student at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), Thusini is not only building a career in the classroom; he’s carving a name for himself in the beautiful game.
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His love for soccer began at the tender age of seven, inspired by his father, who played for a local team at the time, Lucky Stars. “I would always go with him to training, watch him play, and be on the ground. That’s where the love for soccer was lit.”
Today, Thusini plays for both the TUT residence soccer team and his dad’s local club, Lucky Stars, while working towards his goal of breaking into the university’s official TUT FC squad.
His role model is Orlando Pirates midfielder Thalent Mbatha. “It’s not just his skill and talent that I admire, but his humility too.”
Meeting Mbatha, and the rest of the Orlando Pirates squad, remains one of the proudest moments in his football journey, even above his on-field achievements.
For Thusini, soccer is more than just a personal passion; it’s a way to uplift others. “My ultimate goal is to teach and coach soccer to the next generation, using the skills and knowledge I’ve gained.”
With a heart set on education and a passion that began on the dusty community fields of Diepsloot, Thusini is proof that dreams can be as much about giving back as they are about personal success. For him, whether he’s in the classroom or on the pitch, one thing is certain: He’s playing for something bigger than himself.
Thusini’s message to the talented and aspiring soccer players is: “While chasing after your dreams of becoming a soccer player, please study or start a business. Have something to fall back on, because one injury can rewrite your whole soccer career.”
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