Lesego Sebetlela, a former University of Johannesburg (UJ) football player, concluded the 2021/22 ABC Motsepe League in fine style, winning a R100 000.00 Player of the Tournament cash prize under champions MM Platinum. Sebetlela was also recently signed by PSL side, Sekhukhune United FC.
Sebetlela joined MM Platinum in July 2021 after being noticed by Coach Ashraf Hendricks.
“It’s an honour to be part of such a big establishment such as Sekhukhune FC. I feel blessed, I will never take this opportunity for granted,” says Sebetlela.
The diploma in Logistics Management graduate joined UJ Football Under17 in 2017 and was promoted to the first team just three months later. He left UJ in 2019 after playing Varsity Football to join Highlands Park. When the Highlands Park’s PSL status was sold, he returned to UJ in 2021 but later left for MM Platinum.
“Playing for MM Platinum wasn’t easy at first, but after a few months with them I started to understand the way they play and my confidence grew from there. Playing for this team was very special for me because they believed in me when I thought all hope was lost, and for that I’ll forever consider them as my family.
“Being the winners of the playoffs is by far my greatest achievement in my career so far. Winning that final opened so many doors for me,” adds Sebetlela.
The footballer from Dobsonville, Soweto, started his footballing career at the age of 13 when he started playing for Midas Football Academy. He went on to play for Orlando Pirates Development Team from the age of 15 to 17. He was scouted by Augusto Palacios.
“When I was 17, I left Pirates because of lack of game time and decided to focus on school and that’s when I decided to joined UJ Under19. The UJ coaching staff contributed to my growth. A lot of credit must go to coaches Thando, Karabo, Patrick and Mandla. Without these coaches, I wouldn’t have been the player that I am today,” adds Sebetlela.
