The
six schools that won the regional titles in the province will meet on that day,
with the eventual winners going on to represent the province at the national
finals in Johannesburg in 22 June. The nine provincial champions will play off
for the ultimate prize – a trip to London to represent South Africa at the
Danone Nations Cup World Finals in September and to meet with ex French
international, Zinedine Zidane.
The
Free State provincial final tournament will be the third - Rietrivier Primary
School came through as the Northern Cape winners, while Siphumele Primary
School are winners of KwaZulu-Natal.
The
schools that will be playing in the Free State provincial finals are: Monamodi
Primary School representing Lejweleputswa Region; Selogile Primary School –
Fezile Dabi Region; Luckhoff Combined School – Xhariep Region; Matswathaka
Primary School - Thabo Mofutsanyana Region; Emang Primary School – Motheo
Region and Tlong- Kganyeng Primary School – Masilonyana Region.
Three
time provincial winners and reigning Free State champions, Mofulatshepe Primary
School were knocked out at the cluster level this year.
Selogiloe
Primary School, from Parys only started participating in the Danone Nations Cup
last year. Their coach, Moses Phumo is very happy to have made it this far.
“This is a big achievement for us considering we only started participating in
the tournament last year. Making it to the provincials two times in a row shows
that our efforts and hard work was not in vain.” he said.
“I
think we stand a chance of winning the provincial title this time, because we
have a much stronger and more confident team. Five of the players from last
year’s team are back; they have the experience now and are able to motivate the
new players.”
Selogiloe
Primary started preparations for 2013 DNC immediately after losing at the
provincials last year. “We started grooming the boys in June last year,” Phumo
explained. “They have shown commitment and determination. Ever since January,
we have been training every day after school and we will continue training
throughout the Easter holidays.” Phumo believes that the exit of reigning
champions Mofulatshepe Primary is a confidence booster. “Winning the provincial
finals will make our school, the community and Parys proud. It’s not going to
be easy but I am confident it is achievable.”
The
coach sees his captain Mathibe Tshepang, a striker, and defender Motasi Xolile
as his key players.
Also
at the provincial finals will be Emang Primary School from Thabanchu, near
Botshabelo Township. They started participating in the Danone Nations Cup in
2008. This will be their first time at
the provincial finals. Their coach, Thibogang Ranosi, says they have been
trying for seven years and he is glad that they finally made it. “We
persevered, even when times were hard, and the time has now come to show what
we are capable of. I know we going to face tougher opponents, but anything is
possible. I am proud of my team.”
He
singled out his captain, Thapelo Senakgomo, and midfielders Kgathi Tlotlo and
Katlego Mapitle as the players in his team to watch.
The
next Danone Nations Cup provincial finals will be in Limpopo on April 20. The
Danone Nations Cup is an under-12 competition involving thousands of boys and
girls from around the world. Danone hopes that each year, more and more
children will take part in this sporting event and live their dreams.
