Jabu 'Mjepa' Ngoveni, a young man from Limpopo, whose dreams of becoming a professional footballer were dashed by a coach has found salvation in another form of the game: freestyling. He now has big dreams in the industry that changed his life and helped him rise to considerable popularity on various social media platforms.
The freestyler most commonly known as Mjepa said that he used to play the conventional form of the game and revealed that "it was, truly speaking, my dream to be a professional player."
However, his hopes were dashed after being overlooked by his coach at the academy he attended at the time.
"That coach, he knows very well that I was good, but I was always on the bench," he said.
"He's the one who made me to become a freestyler. He made me to feel like I'm not good inside the field."
But what seemed to be a lowly point in his life turned out to be a catalyst that ignited an unconventional, yet highly rewarding career.
"So, I started freestyling back in 2012. I used to watch Ronaldinho's videos; that's where I started practicing a few tricks and I learnt it there."
Through freestyling, Mjepa has met so many people and made quite a name for himself after notable collaborations with Cape Town City and other football clubs in the country.
With all the exposure, you would assume that he still holds on to the hopes of one day representing a professional side in the country.. or even around the world.
You would, however, be wrong.
"I had a dream of playing professional football but at the moment I can say no because I spend a lot of my time freestyling and I've learned so much more through freestyling than when I was playing inside the field."
Now, after placing much focus on his career as a freestyler, Mjepa has reached a level where he collaborates with professional footballers to create content. He has thus far worked with various players but said that not all pro ballers are able to keep up with him.
"I've met so many footballers. Some of them they get jealous when I'm busy freestyling or showing them a few tricks. They'll be like 'he can't do it inside the field'. So, a lot of people don't know the difference between football freestyle and soccer because in freestyle you're alone; you do your thing. You do your transitions and stuff like that.
"So, when you're inside the field you play against someone; you work as a team. So for me personally, [freestyle] football is a different thing even soccer is a different thing."
Although, the virtuoso did reveal that there are "only three guys that are promising in matching my level": Cape Tow City's Khanyisa Mayo, former Orlando Pirates star Linda Mntambo and winger Mahlatse Makudubela.
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