A good captain leads by example, is confident but also humble, and knows how to motivate teammates. 

These were the TuksSport High School matriculant & TuksFootball Academy graduate, Blessing Mabasa's words when asked how he sees his role as captain of Tuks's Varsity Football team. Judging by his performance yesterday against TUT, he was not making small talk. Mabasa ticked every box of what it takes to be a good captain. 

He scored his team's only goal. Mabasa was also brilliant on defence. It was as if he could anticipate what was going to happen before it happened. That is what led to him getting the player of the match award. 

Tuks and TUT played to a one-all-draw on Wednesday. Some might argue that Tuks can only blame themselves for lapse of concentration during the dying minutes of the game. But for now, Mabasa is happy with the outcome. 

"I think it was a good game of football. The feeling was good being nervous before the game and using that nervousness to be excited and play my heart out to make sure the team defends well at all costs. 

"I really enjoy playing competitive games. They determine whether you are a player who dies when the pressure is on or who thrives and play to your fullest potential," said the centre-back. 

Mabasa describes himself as a forever student of football. 

"I am continuously watching videos, analysing what the players do. I also want to learn about the team's various tactics. Finally, the challenge is to apply what I have learned on the field." 

As to role models, Mabasa said he is a big fan of Cristiano Ronaldo. 

"What I admire is his ability to do everything an attacking player can possibly do on a soccer field."

Asked whether he would be able to prevent Ronaldo from scoring should he get the opportunity to play against him, Mabasa laughed. 

"It's easy to say yes, but all I can promise is that I will give him a tough time." 

Tuks's head coach, Nicholas Stothard, said it was good for him to get his Varsity Football tournament coaching debut out of the way against a big rival, TUT. 

He was not the only one to make his debut. In the Tuks starting line-up, seven players played Varsity Football for the first time. In addition, two of the substitutes also made their debut. 

"I thought we were the better team. We created the majority of the chances. And I don't believe TUT tested us too much. Obviously, we have had a bit of a lapse in concentration in the end, and we were punished," Stothard said. 

"I am excited to see the team grow within the tournament and as we do at Tuks peak at the right moment. I am confident that all those chances we had yesterday will, on another day, go in."

Tuks is playing Kovsies on Friday, 10 September at 16:00. Stothard predicts that it is going to be another tough encounter. 

"The aim will definitely be to convert our chances and stay alert for 90 minutes even if the opposition is not really testing us."