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 different 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 and 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 boast two girls who play in the provincial soccer team, one of whom is the captain and the other was selected to play for national squad Banyana Banyana.