An arm belt is more about the team than an individual himself.

Hailing from the dusty roads of Soshanguve, Vusi Tshepo Sibiya, best known as Spinner. He holds Btech in Management from Tshwane University of Technology and is currently playing for Baroka FC as a centre back.

Sibiya was introduced to football at an early age, however, started playing organized football at Edu-sport FC in 2009 until he moved to Tshwane University of Technology(TUT) in 2017. He says, "the reason I joined TUT is not only because it has a rich football history, but because of how they also prioritize the student's education as well. It was through them that I got to finish my BTech and I'm grateful for that. Fast forward to 2018, that’s when I realized I have potential of becoming a professional footballer. Although offers from ABC teams kept on coming my way,I had to reject them because my focus was entirely on my studies."

His decision follows an understanding that football is a short career and other things may happen that can end one's football career like injuries, so his qualification is for backup to fall back should things go south.

He continues to speak from a point of gratitude about playing for the Red Machines, “well, I can say playing for TUT was a blessing because it gave me the platform to showcase my talent. Even more, TUT football didn’t only contribute to my football life but to my studies as mentioned above. The team and its management held me until I was able to sign my first professional contract with Baroka FC."

Vusi takes us through his journey of transitioning from playing Varsity Football to the Premier Soccer League(PSL), “I adapted way too quick in top flight (PSL) because of the experience I acquired in the Varsity Football Tournament. The whole set up of Varsity Football Tournament is the same as PSL, yet the only difference is that Varsity Football Tournament is played over a period of two months in a year and PSL is played throughout the year. There is so much potential in that tournament to help players move forward with their soccer careers.”

Sibiya was named captain after playing for Baroka in a little over two years and that was a point of celebration - not only for him - but the young players who've played and shared the field with him. He was asked of what that meant for him as a player and his response was, “an arm belt is more about the team than an individual. Receiving it means that you’re trusted with decision making and thinking on the clock right there on the field for the team. It helps one to really engage with the team for the team. That has rather pushed me to learn how to make good decisions, how to keep focused as well as team building. It was such an honor for me to be trusted with such capacity."

Vusi's football journey seems so much as an inclination from the outside for so many players, even in that case he has remained humble and has been smashing more goals. He was asked what continues to keep him grounded, he replied, "all those who played the game before me, those who taught me football and those who have contributed to my growth with advices are honestly what kept me grounded. My life goals and my aspirations have helped me keep my focus when things got really tough. But I can’t express my gratitude enough to my Dad, Brother (Sipho), my coaches and everyone else who made a contribution to my being today. I was blessed to be trained by dedicated people who are very much passionate about football. I really thank them.”

He was asked if he wasn't a footballer what would he be and he said. “my life has pretty much been about football since an early age. I’m horrified by the thought of being anything else except a footballer." His note to self is: “do your best at all times, you never know who’s watching and the future belongs to those who prepare for it."

In closing, Vusi would like to extend his deepest condolences to the family of the late Khunadi 'Kaka' Nkoana on behalf of the team. "May God be with his family in these hard times because tomorrow is indeed not known. We live on borrowed time and a loss teaches one to love and be grateful for every chance we are given."

Editor : Nomvula Kgoale

IG:@NomvulaK_Words

@nomvulakgoale