TZANEEN – The power of community spirit was on full display recently when residents of Tzaneen and supporters from beyond came together to raise R20 000 in less than 24 hours for local soccer coach, Peace Khosa.
Thanks to their generosity, Khosa will now be able to attend the prestigious Confederation of African Football (CAF) B coaching course.
The intensive course, which is divided into three phases, will take place in Pretoria on May 3-10, June 1-8, and July 13-20. For Khosa, affectionately known as Coach Peace, being selected as one of only 25 participants is a dream come true.
“I’m overwhelmed with gratitude,” he told the Herald. “To be part of such a limited group for this long-awaited course is a huge honour. People used to travel to neighbouring countries just to get access to it. I’m truly thankful to everyone who contributed, both in Tzaneen and beyond.”
One of the key figures behind the fundraising effort was Lloyd Mtebule, who helped spark the initiative by posting on Facebook and suggesting that if 400 people donated just R50 each, the goal could easily be met. The response exceeded expectations.
“This experience taught me that when people are united around a common goal, they can accomplish incredible things,” Mtebule said.
Completing the CAF B course will open new doors for Khosa, allowing him to apply for coaching roles in the Premier Soccer League, National First Division, and varsity teams. Beyond personal advancement, Khosa sees the opportunity as a way to uplift the entire local soccer community.
“This is bigger than me,” he explained. “It’s about developing football in our region. It’s not just for my team, Nkowankowa Barcelona FC, but for players from other local teams as well. I’ll be able to recommend them for trials with top clubs, creating more opportunities for our talent.”
