Keep your head down and do the work

Today, we celebrate Lesego Motsepe (with no affiliation to you know who👆). The 20 year-old was born in Alexandra, Johannesburg, but grew up in Bramley view. He is currently studying at the North West University (Mafikeng) for his Diploma in Coaching Science where he is doing his final year.

"I like to consider myself a footballer above everything. I know it’s a bit of a cliché for one to say 'football is my life' but I say this meaningfully, intentionally and of course literally" he said. He started playing football at the age of Seven (7) in primary school, surprisingly it was not something he was really passionate about until his passion began burning just two years later.

At the age of Nine (9), he decided to pursue his talent and went to play for Balfour Alexandra FC where he played until the age of Thirteenth (13). While at Balfour Alexander, Lesego was playing - exceptionally - well that he was selected to go play in Sweden twice in 2011 and 2012 respectively. It was at this stage in his career where he learnt the difference between the football in South Africa and Sweden, "the level of discipline, maturity and technical ability is different compared to ours, it was the best football I've seen up to this point. They live and breathe football and one would swear how they study football has something to do with their academics" he said, as if playing abroad wasn't an achievement enough to prove his capacity as a football player. He kept on soaring and left a mark before leaving Balfour as he received an individual award for 'Tiger of the year' for his stellar performance throughout the season.

His journey came to an end with Balfour Alexander when Supersport United scouted him during a game which was between the two teams, "I scored a hat trick on the day and I think that drew their attention" he said. Lesego moved to Pretoria at the age of Fourteen (14) and spent 5 years with the academy, when asked about his stay with the team he responded: "that was honestly the greatest place for me to develop and grow as a person on and off the pitch".

In his first tournament, he won a top goal scorer award. By then, he was playing as a winger when he was actually taken as a midfielder from Balfour. In 2018, he was promoted to the MDC (Multi Diski Choice) the same year he was doing his matric (Grade 12). Lesego only played four games that at some point it had to be school or football and decided to go to school which eventually met with football yet again.

Lesego was asked what was one of the biggest challenges he was faced with that affected his football career and how he overcame it all, his response was: "having to leave home at a young age for the first time was something I wasn't ready for, but I knew what the bigger goal was and that this was something that needed to be done. Also, I was trying to break into the MDC squad after being with Supersport United for Five (5)years I knew that I had to keep my head down and just work hard."

From a young age, he has always looked up to Cristiano Ronaldo as most soccer players relate to him simply because he is one of the most hard working players. Lesego adds, “personally, I believe he has shown me that talent alone can get you nowhere but working hard will. But with growth and all, one person I look up to now is Trent Alexandra Arnold. This is not only because we share the same position, but because he has never stopped dreaming of being a professional at some point irregardless of his challenges”.

A question of things he wishes he was told before going in head first into football, he replied, “the amount of sacrifices I have to make and the emotional roller-coaster football brings.”

Lesego was asked to send a message to his older self while in the football industry, the message reads: "don't forget to grow and remain humble, I'll always be your only biggest fan and competition."

From us the sky is never the limit.

CC: Nomvula Kgoale

IG : Nomvulak_Words