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From Varsity Football ball boy to Varsity Football star

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Wesley Sneijder, Fabio Cannavaro, Carlos Tevez, Raul Gonzalez and Mateo Kovacic are among some of the world’s best football players, yet they have one thing in common – before dazzling with their skills in the biggest football stadiums around the world, they all started as ball boys.

Omphile Shuping, one of the 2022 Varsity Sports NWU players, also started to participate in Varsity Football as a ball boy for the NWU team back in 2013 during the inaugural Varsity Football tournament.

Shuping, affectionately known as ‘The General’, joined the NWU Soccer Institute in 2020 but only started playing Varsity Football in the 2021 edition.

“I’ve always wanted to be part of the NWU Soccer Institute team after being a Varsity football ball boy in 2013,” he told Varsity Football.

His football passion started when he was a little kid, playing in the streets.

“I started playing for a team Named Magra, aged 11 until I was 14 years. Then moved to another in my home area known as Debunkers for a year. Afterwards, I went on to play for Mafikeng Rocks, where I grew both as a player and a person. I learned a lot about life and soccer in the 6 years I spent there,” said Shuping.

Despite playing as left-back due to two NWU left-backs being sidelined with injuries, Shuping has already scored two goals for the NWU Eagles so far in the 2022 Varsity Football tournament.

The ball boy-turned-star says the spirit is very high in the team in preparation for their next game against the 2021 Varsity Football champions from the University of Johannesburg.

“The upcoming game against UJ is crucial. Having bounced back by winning our last home game against UKZN from a setback loss in the game prior, we must sustain the momentum and take the challenge to our opponents at our scheduled next meeting. It won’t be easy, but with the support of the NWU Purple Army and the plan communicated by our coach, I am confident that we will prevail”, Shuping concluded.

His goals have helped NWU to climb to the top of the log after collecting three wins from four games. The log leaders, however, will be tested this week as travel to the UJ Stadium to face the Orange Army at 18:30 on Thursday.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.