22 August 2022
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Story Samkelo Fetile
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Photo Supplied
Tebogo Motsamai was named head coach after Godfrey Tenoff took up a new post at the University of the Free State (UFS). Motsamai's first season as head coach ended in defeat against the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in the final.
With a finalist finish in last season’s Varsity Football, the
Kovsie men's soccer team is hoping for another successful season. Kovsies seek to continue its surge under Tebogo Motsamai with the addition of several key young players.
Head coach Motsamai was appointed when the former head coach, Godfrey Tenoff, accepted a new position at the University of the Free State (UFS). Motsamai lost in the final of his first season as head coach to the University of Johannesburg (UJ). As a former player and assistant coach, he is familiar with the team. Despite his first year as head coach, his most significant accomplishment at Kovsies is finishing in the top four and reaching the final of the Varsity Football competition.
“I will continue to lean on these youngsters, as I want to keep the foundation the same as last year and build on it, bringing some new ideas and different mentalities to emphasise to the team,” Motsamai said. He believes in openness to ideas from players. “I want players to be comfortable talking about how they feel, opinions on strategy, and things like that,” he further explained.
The 2021
Varsity Football season brought some memorable moments for coach Motsamai, and he believes it was all through the hard graft of the players and the technical team. “I want to mention that since inception, my work has been made easy by Ntele Mashiloane (MJ) – physiotherapist, and Yanelisa Nyalambisa – physical trainer, who work well with the boys. Their hard work, determination, and work ethic are out of this world,” Motsamai said.
He praises his players and believes they have what it takes to progress in the current Varsity Football tournament. “I can’t guarantee a certain number of wins, losses, or draws, but I feel like if we stick to the implemented philosophy, which is being disciplined, being prepared, and being relentless in what you want to do, they can take that with them not only on the playing field, but in life as well,” Motsamai said.
He is one of the coaches to watch in this year’s ongoing tournament as the team approaches the final games of the group stage. Even though the pressure to perform is mounting on each player, he is confident that they will get through to the knockout stages.
After five games, the UFS Kovsies are currently first place on the log standings with ten points.