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24 December 2022 | Story Jóhann Thormählen | Photo Asem Engage/Hannes Naude
Sello Diphoko
Sello Diphoko was the Man of the Match in his last Varsity Football game for the University of the Free State.

Come to Kovsies and go places!’ is a motto used at Kovsie Soccer, and Sello Diphoko’s journey exemplifies this. The UFS striker’s humble beginnings and rise to the United States of America is one that inspires.

Two years ago, he didn’t even play club soccer, but he was scouted by the UFS and given an opportunity that changed his life. Diphoko recently received a scholarship at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas.

Playing street football

It all started in February 2020 when he was invited to UFS soccer trials by a friend, Lwanda Ciko, who is also from Soutpan outside Bloemfontein.

“Before I came here, I was playing street football,” says Diphoko. “I have never played in a professional or semi-professional league; I came straight from the streets.” And it took Tebogo Motsamai, UFS head coach, only 25 minutes to identify his talent.

According to Godfrey Tenoff, Diphoko was attending Motheo College and gained access to the UFS through the University Preparation Programme.

“We are totally proud of Sello,” says the Head of Soccer at KovsieSport. “He is a perfect example of preparation meeting opportunity and that opportunity creating a great opportunity.”

In 2021, his Varsity Football debut year, Diphoko was crowned Player of the Tournament and received the Golden Boot award. A year later, he can barely believe it happened. “Yoh. It is huge! But it was all about the teamwork and support I got from my teammates.”

Changing students’ lives

A few South African teams wanted to sign him up, but his education was non-negotiable. A move abroad was eventually the best for Diphoko’s career – on and off the pitch.

Tenoff says the “talent identification pathway has now been paved”. The UFS understands the processes, what it is capable of, and it shows the university can equip and prepare students for international opportunities.

“It says that KovsieSport is serious about changing the lives of the students that come into our programme. It tells me that we have the will to make a way for our students. This is a small part of what is to come in KovsieSport, Kovsie Soccer, and the UFS.”

News Archive

Former Kovsie scores a record in Ireland
2011-05-16

 
Obus Pienaar

The 21-year-old former Kovsie, Obus Pienaar, who was still playing cricket for our club at the university until the end of the season (end of March), has been playing abroad for the Irish cricket club Waringstown from the end of April 2011.

His Alma Mater, the UFS, is proud of Obus’ achievements, in particular his contribution to the match against the CIYMS. During this game, Obus hit the highest score ever in the Northern Cricket Unions when he scored 244 runs in only 114 balls. This included 22 sixes and 13 fours.
 
During his innings in this match, Obus also broke the July 2004 record of his compatriot, AB de Villiers of the Proteas.
 
According to Arno van Niekerk from KovsieSport at the UFS, the university is very proud of Obus. “He is young and has a brilliant future ahead,” says Arno. Obus played for the UFS for three seasons, and was part of the Kovsies team that won the national club championships last year.
 
Obus, who is currently studying through Unisa as a result of his overseas commitments, studied B.Comm. Financial Management at the UFS until his third-year. He was a resident of Vishuis.

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