Young stars third in championship
Tikhontele Secondary School's soccer team made it to top three in the recent South African School's Association Copa Coca-Cola national championships.
The team recently represented Mpumalanga by competing against other schools from the various provinces.
They were awarded with a R10 000 cheque, a trophy and 20
soccer balls, of which one was signed by well-known national soccer players
Helman Mkhelele and Happy Jele.
Each team member also received a full soccer
kit including a tracksuit, cap, earphones and small medals.
“This
achievement means we can also achieve academically. If we can excel at sports,
we definitely can excel academically,” said the principal
Bhekinkosi Nkosi.
Nkosi said the prize money would be used to enhance the school’s security
system.
“We are very grateful for the boys, their coach Colleen Ntekati and
team manger Nkosana Mhlongo, who worked day and night for this victory,” he
added.
Last year the school’s u/16 team represented the province in the
Metropolitan Tournament. They recently won R20 000 in the tournament, which was
used to buy three laptops for the school as well as soccer boots. The boys will
also represent Mpumalanga in the Metropolitan’s upcoming tournament, which will
be played in Polokwane early in December.
Tikhontele also boasts two girls
who play in the provincial soccer team, one of whom is the captain and the other
was selected to play for the national squad Banyana Banyana.
