Like God did to the storm, He calms the soccer balls with his hands.

Sikhumbuzo 'Zulu' Ncube, Steenberg United Football Club's Goalkeeper. He's a 3rd year Officiating and Coaching Science student at Tshwane University of Technology originally from Limpopo province, Polokwane (Seshego). Zulu started playing soccer when he was 8 years old for a team called Rapi FC where he played as a left back. From there, moved to Manare FC where his love and passion for football started to grow, "I remember one day we were playing and there was no goalkeeper, so I thought to myself why not be a goalkeeper for today, not knowing I'll end up falling in love with the position. At the time, coach Tebo was the head coach of the team and he took his time to teach me the basics of being a goalkeeper" he said. Along with the years, he moved to Dinoko FC where he played from the age of 14 until he went to Tshwane University of Technology. Zulu said that when he was in Matric, he was offered an opportunity by Lloyd Morulane - who had spoken to the TUT head coach Mr. Bushy Moloi - about arranging for his trial. At the time, he didn't even know where he was going to study the following year (2017). Zulu got the opportunity to trial and later on was signed to play for the Red machines. While playing for Tshwane University of Technology, Ncube got play in the students' most loved Football Tournament, he shares his memories about playing in the Varsity Football Tournament for the first time, “the first game was exciting and on the other hand came with a lot of undeniable nerves. Just imagine playing in front of thousands of students on top of that the game is on national TV, so it was a big moment for me to really show up and show off what I can do in the field." Since 2017, Zulu hasn't been a stranger in the Varsity football tournament. Many watched him grow from winning awards for 'real deal save of the match', to 'Man of the Match' and the big one in 2019 ‘Goalkeeper of the tournament (Golden Glove.’ When asked what that moment meant for him as a player, even after that award came after a loss to NWU, his response was: “one thing about me is that I've always given myself room to learn and improve, and to always be positive about life. Because of that, winning the golden glove was also a huge progression for me where it inspired me and set me up to a point that from that moment, I've always doubled my effort with every opportunity that came my way." December 2019, the People's University met NWU yet again at the University Sports South Africa (USSA), this was less than three months after they suffered a loss in the fields of Mafikeng, North West. When asked what was going on in his head at that moment, especially as team captain, he responded, "as the then captain, one thing that was playing at the back of my mind was that I don't want to be the first captain to not qualify for the next Varsity Football Tournament the following year" he continued to say "we know that there's no 'I' in 'Team' - so I needed my team in order to win. I told my teammates that I'm only captain and when the referees need a representative, but in the field we all are leaders and I believe that's how we got to play and win against NWU to be crowned the USSA championship because everyone knew that they had a role to play." Ncube was asked if he believes that the intensity of the Varsity Football and USSA tournaments play a huge role in setting up varsity players and if they can be used as stepping stones players need to get to play in the NDF or PSL, he gladly replied, “yes, I strongly believe so, even I managed to secure my first professional contract through both of these tournaments. Players have been stepping up for a win and it's all up to them to show up and show off even in what may be considered minor leagues. Every game matters, you never know who's watching" Having got an opportunity to play in the Premier Soccer League, he tells us about the professional etiquette in the league, “firstly I'm going to admit that it's like living in your own dream. The set up there is structured in a way that there's no room for slacking or being star struck especially if you're new because you'll meet people whom you grew up looking up to and next thing you're in the same league or associated with them. Everyone there is just as good as you think you are and maybe better, so sharpening your skill is the way to go.” Zulu was asked of his own experience since joining the football industry, he replied, “honestly, I've learnt football needs someone who is willing to face failure at its best, it needs someone who is willing to put in extra effort, someone who's going to work tirelessly to improve themselves even after being told they are the best. It also needs someone with a big heart, otherwise everything could easily swallow you.” Ncube shares his biggest let down in his football career thus far: "losing the Baroka contract was that moment for me because at first I thought I was okay because I saw it coming and I was slightly prepared, but as time went by it hit me and really cut deep where I'd just sit down and be emotional about it. At some point, it started stressing me out to think of how much I've lost after so much effort I've put in. I've learned that football is indeed a short career whereby tomorrow it's never guaranteed irrespective of who you are. I'm so grateful to have went through such a lesson at a very young age as I've recently found a new home at Steenberg United FC and we are currently playing in the NDF. Waking up to the reality that I still have a chance to work on myself and improve whatever skills I have gives me so much joy and I intend to continue to work hard to keep what I have and grow in the process.” In closing, Zulu leaves a message of hope to whoever is looking up to him, he says, “my advice is that, always have faith in yourself, give yourself room to learn, be patient, always pray and give thanks to the Lord for all that comes your way.”

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