'It all happened too fast,’ says SuperSport attacker Maseko on his breakthrough season

It all happened too quick for emerging SuperSport United attacking midfielder Thapelo Maseko. 

About a year ago, the 19-year-old from Sebokeng was in matric and the dream of playing professional football and for his country appeared far-fetched. 

Fast forward to the closing stages of the DStv Premiership season, and Maseko has established himself as a key figure in coach Gavin Hunt’s team and is in contention for the young player of the season award. 

He has repaid the faith shown in him by Hunt with a solid return of four goals and two assists in 22 league matches and one appearance in the Nedbank Cup. 

For the young player of the season award, Maseko is going to face stiff competition from Cassius Mailula of Mamelodi Sundowns and Devin Titus of Stellenbosch, who have been equally impressive. 

“A year ago, I finished matric and didn’t even think I would be playing in the Premier Soccer League at the age of 19. Everything is going at 10 miles an hour with call-ups to the national team,” he said as SuperSport prepared to take on Kaizer Chiefs in a key DStv Premiership clash at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday. 

With all the attention on him, Maseko said support from family has helped him stay grounded. 

“My family, the club and the coaches are supporting, always encouraging me to work harder. One of the things that makes me to stay focused is I keep a small group of people. 

“People who were there for me in the past are still there and I don’t want to add more people to give me different advice. People who have always given me advice are still there to give me advice and that is what is helping me. 

“I am happy, sometimes I sit alone and think about my future, but I don’t want to be carried away.” 

Maseko added he is learning a lot from working with coaches such as Hunt, Andre Arendse, Thabo September and Jabulani Maluleke, who are ex-professionals. 

“He is a great coach, he is like a father to me and is helping me develop my game, every day at training he is telling where and how to improve my game and I am grateful for that,” he said about Hunt. 

“Here at SuperSport we are a family, the coaches, who are former players, know the culture of the club and always encourage you and advise you on the good things you can do for the club.  

“It is a good thing that we have former players as coaches because they have been there.” 

Over the past few seasons, SuperSport have lost key players, including Aubrey Modiba, Grant Kekana, Ronwen Williams, Teboho Mokoena and Sipho Mbule to Sundowns and Maseko may follow. 

“I want to finish the season on a high, the decision [on my future] lies with SuperSport. At the moment, my focus is here.” 

Maseko was also part of the South African U-23 team that failed to qualify for the Olympics after an aggregate defeat to Congo-Brazzaville. 

“It was heartbreaking, I feel like we should have given more in the away game but it was not to be.” 

Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.