Local delegation heads to annual FNB youth tourney
KAGISHO ‘Spakes’ Matile, the CAF and Safa accredited development coach, will be among a delegation leaving for the Nike Centre in Kliptown, Gauteng to partake in the annual First National Bank sponsored youth tournament running between October 3-7.
Matile (pictured), speaking to the DFA, explained that he will be among three local coaches, including
Safa regional administrator Ponatshego Mondela, who will accompany the Northern Cape delegation of 40 players – 20 boys and 20 girls – to the youth event.
All provincial teams will partake in a knockout tournament involving other teams from Pietermaritzburg, George, Thohoyandou and Umtata, over the five-day period.
The tournament at Nike Centre is the culmination of the FNB’S long investment in football. As of 2010 the bank has sponsored schools football including youth development up to grassroots teams from local communities.
From these groups coaches select, from among the boys and girls, players to compose an invitational team which represents the province at the national tournament such
as this one held in October month Matile said.
“We are going to have national squad coaches of all divisions at the tournament who are going to assess both the boy’s and girl’s squads. The great thing is that any kid who gets a chance to be selected goes to HPC (high performance centre).
“The boys may get the same and could also be considered for one or other national teams.
“For us our programme has previously brought Mohau Kote here from Dalton Brothers FC in Kimberley. (Kote) has already been assessed and signed up by Orlando Pirates in 2018. Another one, Thabiso Lebebe is with Hungry Lions FC.
“Some of our prospects currently include, apart from Mohau Kote, Tshepo Kakora and Thabisho Bebe Pheleu.”