Predicting a sports tournament's outcome is looking for trouble, as there is a real chance of getting it wrong.

But there are exceptions. Especially if the prediction is made by someone guaranteed to be amid the action every minute of every game. UP-Tuks student-athlete, Kamogelo Maseko, is such a player. 

She was one of the Gauteng Jaguars’ star players during the recent 2024 Telkom Netball League while having won multiple Player of the Match awards. A definite testimony to her grit was her performance in the final. The Crinums beat the Jaguars by one goal. Still, Maseko was the Player of the Match.

"Maseko was a superstar. The more tense things got on the court, the better she played. It was as if she had 'wings'," which is how her heroics were described by a reporter from Netwerk24.

To make a long story short. This week, when asked, Maseko boldly predicted that Tuks has a realistic chance to win the USSA Netball Tournament, which starts next week in Johannesburg.

Part of her confidence sprouts from the fact that most of the players who helped Tuks win last year's Varsity Netball campaign will again be playing. 

When asked how she can step up when the going gets tough on the court, Maseko's honesty was refreshing.

"Many won't believe it when I say I am nervous before every game. Sometimes, it is so bad that I can hardly catch a ball when we are warming up. My hands are shaking too much. The moment I step onto the court, everything changes. I view pressure as a privilege. That is when I am at my best. 

"Maybe it has to do with the fact that diamonds are formed under 'extreme pressure'," Maseko joked.

She made her debut for Tuks playing as a wing attack, but in the last year, she has become her own as a goal attack. 

"I love playing goal attack because I can dictate the play. I am a playmaker who can bring calmness and composure to a game. It is vital to feed well to get the ball to the circle so we can score. One of my specialities is creating turnovers."

Maseko is not one of the biggest goal attacks. She quickly points out that looks can be deceiving when reminded of this.

"I love it when my opponents underestimate me, thinking they can push and shove me on the court. I am stronger than I look."

Maseko's partner in the circle is Alice Kennon, the foremost goal shooter during the Telkom Netball League. 

"Our personalities are so similar, so we are expected to clash, but we don't. I love playing with Alice as we both hate losing. What also is nice is that when I am down, Alice is the one who will 'pick me up' and vice versa."