“I love playing is this tournament
for a number of reasons,” said Tlhobanelo. “Scouts come and watch us, I enjoy
meeting different players from different schools and seeing what we can pick up
in terms of their style of play and our school has been successful in the
Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup. We have been the provincial champions for
the past two years with the R200 000 we won being used to build and equip
a gym which has helped us a lot in terms of fitness.”
Tlhabanelo got his nickname in
primary school because he could dribble like Lebohang “Cheese Boy” Mokoena, and
began to dream of becoming a professional when he was 13 years old, in grade 7,
after being selected to compete in a SASFA under-12 tournament and met Mark
Fish. “He encouraged us to take soccer seriously, to practise and be
disciplined” said Tlhabanelo.
Working hard is what Tlhabanelo is
used to and is inspired by his mother Naomi Tlhabanelo, a business woman who
owns a catering and decorating company. “She works hard in order to give me and
my siblings a better life than she had, she’s a fighter and I love that about
her,” he said.
Norman “The General” Manong Jnr will bring the advantage of overseas experience to the team after being selected to go to São Paulo, Brazil, to attend an academy. “We attended their training programme for 2 weeks and played a few games for the academy. Even though I didn’t get signed to the team, I was happy with my performance and I learned a lot while there,” he said.
Norman “The General” Manong Jnr will bring the advantage of overseas experience to the team after being selected to go to São Paulo, Brazil, to attend an academy. “We attended their training programme for 2 weeks and played a few games for the academy. Even though I didn’t get signed to the team, I was happy with my performance and I learned a lot while there,” he said.
Norman’s father, Norman Manong Snr,
is director of the Department of Social Development in Mafikeng. “My father is
my inspiration. He is very supportive; he comes to all of my matches and
has never missed a game. He’s like my second coach on and off the field,”
Norman says. “Seeing my father in the crowds watching me makes me want to play
even harder and better, He is my inspiration and he wants me to go further in
developing my soccer career.”
Norman got his nickname “The
General” after Teko Modise. “I play like him, and have the same hairstyle as
him,” he said.
Norman’s goal is to study Public
Administration, following in his father’s footsteps, and while studying, he
would like to play for Supersport United or Wits. “Both those teams are very big
on taking on and developing soccer players and I want to be part of a team that
natures your talent from the beginning,” he said.
Other teams competing in the North
West Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup:
Freedom Park
Secondary
-Rustenburg
Sol Plaatjie Secondary
-Mafikeng
Maitemogelo Secondary
-Wolmaranstaad
Sebetwane Secondary
-Vryberg
