The ninth and final school that
will be participating in the national finals of the under-12 Danone Nations Cup
soccer competition will be known on Thursday afternoon, June 16th at
the end of the Limpopo provincial finals happening at Hoërskool Noorderland in
Polokwane.
They will join the other eight provincial winners in
a battle for the national title, happening in Boksburg on June 25th,
and the right to represent the country at the Danone Nations Cup world finals
in France in October.
Four Limpopo schools will be in action on Thursday.
They are:
Vembe District: Benny’s Sports Development and
Academy
Mopani District: Thapola A Nkona Primary
School
Sekhukhune District: Sekakate Primary School
Capricorn District: Bolohlakgomo Primary
School
Bolohlakgomo Primary was the last of the four to
qualify and their coach, Brian Matlile, is delighted that they have finally
made it through after trying since 2011.
“This is a fantastic achievement for us,” said
Matlile, who has been at the school for the past 8 years teaching maths and
social science.
He has no formal coaching qualifications but plays
in the South African Democratic Teachers Union league for the Zebedlela
district as a midfielder and it is here that he gets all his coaching tips.
His inspiration, he says is Stuart Baxter. “He
understands SA soccer and is able to get the players to perform for him.
He has coached around the world including in Australia and Scotland and has
managed great success. He has done well with both Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport
United.”
Bolohlakgomo played seven games on their way to
qualifying, and won all of them, scoring 11 goals on the way.
Their toughest opponent, according to Matlile, was
against Mose Makdika Primary. They finally won that one 5-4 on penalties.
The school is 53 years old and has 497 learners.
Matlile is the sports master overseeing all sports including netball,
volleyball and chess.
The team he sees as his biggest competition at the
provincial finals is Benny’s Sports Development and Academy. “They are
experienced and have excellent talent,” he said.
He will be looking to midfielder, Koketso Tetete
Tlhwaela, to be a key player at the finals. “He is great at creating scoring
opportunities and he is a great motivator. He has been playing for Santos
Football Club for the past 4 years so he is also experienced.”
Games kick-off on Thursday at
10am and entrance is free for the general public. NutriDay will be there
giving everyone a smart snack of yoghurt.
Partners, Mille will be giving
the school with the best war cry a complete set of Mille kit including boots.
ends
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