Tshikota Secondary School will represent the Vhembe district in the final of Limpopo's richest schools' competition, the U/19 Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup football tournament. The tournament will take place at Sekhukhune on Saturday.
Tshikota played three matches last Thursday at the Bungeni Grounds. They first had to beat Kolokoshani Secondary twice, 1-0 and 3-0, in the mini league. The team proceeded to the final, where they came up against Hanyane Secondary school, whom they beat 3-0. They are now going to test their strength against the winners of the four other districts.
The coach of Tshikota Secondary School, Mr Solly Mavhandu, said the competition was about pride and honour. "We are proud of reaching the provincial final and we want to be the first team from Vhembe to go and win the national tournament this year," he said.
"Coaching these boys has brought nothing but joy to my heart as I have seen how they have grown in confidence," he added.
"I've told my boys that we can perform well in this tournament if we only focus and give our best. We are ready for the final battle. By winning this year's Kay Motsepe, we will not only make ourselves proud, but the community, our school and the province as well," said Mavhandu.
"The boys have to master the art of concentration and focus. I have therefore prepared them mentally not to make simple mistakes," said Mavhandu. "Just getting to the provincial final has made a difference to the boys in terms of confidence and motivation," he added.
The president of SASFA Limpopo, Mr Hulisani Mabasa, congratulated the team on behalf of all the districts and said that the importance of sports in the lives of young people was valuable "and goes much further than the basic answer that it keeps them off the streets".
He said sport provided many positive opportunities for the community, especially school children. "Good sportsmanship provides guidelines that can be used in the classroom. It also teaches children to function in a competitive society."