On 28 July 2022, the North-West University's (NWU’s) football team will face the University of the Free State (UFS) in the second round of the Varsity Football tournament.
In the first round UFS defeated the University of Pretoria (UP) by 3 goals to 0. More Varsity Football trophies have been won by UP than any other institution.
The NWU Eagles also rose victorious from the first round, beating Wits University 2-1 on 21 July 2022 at Wits Stadium.
According to NWU coach Karabo Masehela, Luzuko Jevuka's save hands would be the focal point of the defence.
“I can guarantee all our supporters that the NWU team’s defence is based on Luzuko, our number one goalkeeper. His experience is invaluable,” says Karabo.
Luzuko was between the poles when the NWU Eagles won their first Varsity Football tournament in 2019.
Luzuko "Styles" Jevuka is originally from the Eastern Cape, but grew up in Thaba Tshwane in Pretoria, and joined the NWU Soccer Institute in 2016.
“During the first two years at the NWU, I was unable to play a single official match due to the intense rivalry among the goalkeepers. After finally getting a chance to play in 2018, I gave it my all and never looked back,” says Luzuko.
He says the two years he played for the NWU were not as easy as he had anticipated, but they were essential in shaping his current perspective. "Imagine practicing every day for two years and never playing a game or, most of the time, even making the squad. There were times when I wanted to quit, but I reminded myself that I had worked too hard to simply give up."
Luzuko made his Varsity Football debut in the third round of the 2019 Varsity Football tournament. “The final on 26 September 2019 was the opportunity I needed to join the ranks of NWU history makers.”
Luzuko was also awarded a Golden Glove prize during the 2019 University Sports South Africa competition.
Following that feat, he was signed by the Glad Africa Championship team, Mbombela United. Since then he has played in the ABC League for the NWU and Dondol Stars.
Luzuko Jevuka makes a save during a recent ABC Motsepe League game.
