Seventh time lucky for Bochabela Primary School who were crowned Free State Danone Nations Cup Provincial Champions

Bochabela Primary School from the Motheo region will represent Free State at the Danone Nations Cup National football Finals in June. The school beat favourites, Zamaleka Primary School from Fezile Dabi Region 3 – 2 on penalties at the Clive Solomon Stadium, Mangaung on 5 May to become the Provincial champions.

 Freddy Mogoera, Bochabela coach, was not surprised at his team’s achievement:  “Since our first outing in the Danone Nations Cup in 2006 we knew that the trophy would come to us one day.  It has taken a couple of years but our dreams have come true.  Now we will knuckle down and prepare for the next step, the National Finals.”

The same sentiments were felt by team manager, Padi Kgaile.  “I have never seen these boys more confident and excited as they are now,” said the Grade 3 Life Skills and English teacher. Kgaile credited the coach for the win.  “He has done a wonderful job with the boys. He is a tenacious man and never lets anything get him down. He worked hard to get the youngsters in shape. What also worked against him was that our school is situated in a poor area and facilities are not good, but he did not let this get him down.”

Mogoera’s journey with Bochabela Primary Schools began six years ago after he was elected as chairperson of the SGB.  He decided to introduce football into the school as an extra mural activity and did this via a program called Eagles United.  The key objective was to encourage the youngsters to explore their natural talent.  Within 6 months there were 24 youngsters who wanted to play football, and with no formal coaching background he started Bochabela Primary School football club and has since never looked back.

Striker, Kabelo Buyapi is among those Mogoera helped.  From an early he indentified this youngster as gifted and this year Buyapi has scored 15 goals making him the top goal scorer.  The 11 year- old Grade 7 pupil praised his coach as a superb motivator:  “Coach always tells me to use every opportunity I get and constantly reminds us that good results mean we are growing.”

In 2011 Mofulatshepe Primary School represented Free State in the National Finals finishing in 4^th position. Time will tell as to whether Bochabela Primary School can better this.

Bochabela will now join Chakaza Primary from Mpumalanga, Sinamuva Primary School (KwaZulu-Natal), Atamela Primary (North West), Kgwahlele Primary School (Limpopo) in the National Finals. There are still four Provinces to host their Finals, the next will be the Northern Cape on 12 May at Pabalelo Stadium in Upington.

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RESULTS – FREE STATE PROVINCIAL FINALS

POOL A

Lehakwe Primary School (Lejweleputsa Region)

Botle Ba Thuto Primary School (Xhariep Region)

Selogilwe Primary School (Privilege Region)

Fateng sa Thuto Primary School (Thabo Mofutsanyana Region)

Bochabela Primary School (Motheo Region)

Zamaleka Primary School (Fezile Dabi Region)

RESULTS

Lehakwe Primary School 0 vs Botle Ba Thuto Primary School 2  

Selogilwe Primary School 0 vs Fateng sa Thuto Primary School 1

Bochabela Primary School 0 vs Zamaleka Primary School 1

Lehakwe Primary School 1 vs Selogilwe Primary School 0

Botle Ba Thuto Primary School 0 vs Fateng sa Thuto School 1

Bochabela Primary School 2 vs Lehakwe Primary School 0

Zamaleka Primary School 1 vs Selogilwe Primary School 0

Botle Ba Thuto Primary School 0 vs Bochabela Primary School 2

Fateng sa Thuto Primary School 0 (4) vs Ndongeni Primary School 0 (3)

Zamaleka Primary School 2 vs Botle Ba Thuto Primary School 0

Selogilwe Primary School 0 vs Bochabela Primary School 1

Zamaleka Primary School 0 (3) vs Fateng sa Thuto Primary School 0 (1)

Botle Ba Thuto Primary School 0 (4) vs Selogilwe Primary School 0 (3)

Lehakwe Primary School 1 vs Zamaleka Primary School 0

Fateng sa Thuto 0 (7) vs Bochabela Primary School 0 (8)

FINAL

1^st in Pool - Zamaleka Primary School 0 (2) vs 2^nd in Pool – Bochabela Primary School 0 (3)