On 5th May six
primary schools in the Free State will battle it out for the one spot to represent
the Province in the Danone Nations Cup National Finals. The ultimate winner will represent South
Africa in the football 13th Danone Nations Cup World Finals in
Poland later in the year.
The Clive Solomon Stadium will
be the venue where the six competing teams will converge. Botle-Ba-Thuto Primary School from Xhariep
district will compete in the Free State Provincial finals for the first
time. The team got there after beating Mofulatshepe
Primary School 9-1 in the district finals.
”I’m so happy we won and I
hope I will continue scoring goals in the Provincial finals,” said Botle-Ba-Thuto
striker, Bokang Moneri, who scored 4 of the 9 goals.
The Harasebei township based
school has been training 2 hours a day which coach, Mr Mareko, believes is the
reason the team did well: “Our hard work
paid off. I am so proud of my boys. We are at a disadvantage in that we do not
have the necessary equipment and facilities to prepare properly so my strategy
was to just focus on team work. Getting
to the Provincial finals in our first attempt at this prestigious tournament is
a dream come true,” said Mareko.
Botle-Ba-Thuto Primary will
have stiff competition from the likes of Lehakwe Primary School from
Lejwelepupswa district, a team that is just as determined to get to the
National finals. Players to look out for
include goalkeeper Kamohelo Koporoka, who is well known for his brilliant saves
and great ball distribution, defender Mpho Khatlako and midfielders Kamohelo
Gabelo and Lebohang Nhlakobe.
“South African football is
short of goalkeepers and I believe with the experience that I am getting by
playing in the Danone Nations Cup will teach me good habits while I am young which
will help me as I progress through the different age groups and one day I hope
to play professionally,” said Koporoka.
Fateng Sa Thuto Primary
school from Thabo Mofutsanyana district will also participate in the Provincials
together with a school from Fezile Dabi district and two schools from the host
Region, Mangaung Metro district.
The
Free State winner will join Chakaza Primary School (Mpumalanga), Sinamuva Primary
School (KwaZulu-Natal), Atamela Primary School (North West) and Kgwahlele
Primary School (Limpopo) all of which have already qualified for the National
Finals taking place at Central Grounds, Mamelodi, Gauteng on 23 June.
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