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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

KovsieSport lauds its heroes of the year
2013-10-20

 

Maryka Holtzhausen and Wade van Niekerk
20 October 2013

The University of the Free State (UFS) honoured its top achievers at the Loch Logan Waterfront on Friday 18 October 2013. Maryka Holtzhausen and Wade van Niekerk were named the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the year respectively.

The Junior Sportsman and Sportswoman for 2013 are Jacques du Toit and Izelle Lategan.

This year the university’s sport stars were honored in five categories. This includes:

  • Sportsman and Sportswoman of the year (everyone that represented South Africa at a senior level, was eligible for the title). The winners each received a trophy and each sportsman and sportswomen in this category were honored with a medal.
  • Junior sportsman and sportswoman of the year. The winners each received a trophy.
  • Sport stars that represented South Africa at senior and junior level. The achievers received certificates.
  • Sport stars that represented the UFS in the national student teams. The sport stars also received certificates.
  • Certificates were also awarded to the KovsieSport club sport stars.

The following students represented South Africa at senior level:

  • Maryka Holtzhausen was a member of the Protea Netball team that participated in the Fast5 World Series in Auckland, New Zealand, in November 2012. Maryka captained the victorious Protea Netball team in the African Cup in Malawi in May 2013 and was also the captain of the Protea team that toured England in September 2013.
  • Adele Niemand was a member of the victorious Protea Netball team in the African Cup in Malawi in May 2013. Adele obtained her 50th cap for the Proteas when she played for the Protea Netball team that toured England in September 2013.
  • Izelle Lategan was a member of the SA Senior Women’s Protea team that participated in the World Hockey League Round 1 and 2, as well as in the semifinals of the World Hockey League. Izelle was also part of the Protea Women’s team that participated in the Investec Series in England.
  • Tanya Brits was a member of the SA Senior Women’s Protea team that participated in the World Hockey League Round 1 and 2, as well as in the semifinals of the World Hockey League. Tanya was also part of the Protea Women’s team that participated in the Investec Series in England.
  • Hananja Steyn was a member of the national team that participated in the African Fencing Championships in Cape Town in 2013. Hananja also participated in the World Championship in Budapest during 2013.
  • Elsabe le Roux participated in the WKF Senior World Karate Championships in Paris in 2013. Elsabe was a member of the SA Protea team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Championships in Namibia in June 2013.
  • Diana Welmans was a member of the SA Protea team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Karate Championships in Namibia in June 2013.
  • Elme de Villiers was a member of the SA Badminton team that won gold at the All Africa team event and she played in the semifinals in the singles at the same event. Elme also reached the quarterfinals in the singles and obtained gold in the doubles at the Mauritius Open.
  • Sandra le Grange was a member of the SA Badminton team that won gold at the All Africa team event and she obtained a bronze medal in the singles at the same event. Sandra also reached the quarterfinals and obtained gold in the doubles at the Mauritius Open.
  • Karla Mostert was a member of the Protea Netball team that participated in the Fast5 World Series in Auckland, New Zealand, in November 2012. Karla was a member of the victorious Protea Netball team in the African Cup in Malawi in May 2013 and also toured England as a member of the Protea Netball team in September 2013.
  • Balungile Ngcofe was a member of the SA Protea team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Karate Championships in Namibia in June 2013.
  • Jan Petrus van der Merwe was a member of the SA Swimming team that participated in China and Australia during 2013.
  • Wayde van Niekerk was a member of the SA Athletics team that participated in the World Athletics Championships in Moscow, Russia, in 2013.
  • Wim Boshoff was a member of the SA Protea team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Karate Championships.
  • Tanya Basson was a member of the SA Judo team that competed in the World Kata Championships in Italy in 2013. Tanya was a member of the SA team to compete in the Africa Championships in Maputo in 2013 and she also competed in the World Kata Championships in Japan.

Sport stars that represented South Africa on junior level, are:

  • Danelle Willemse was a member of the SA U/21 Netball team that participated in the Netball Junior World Cup in Glasgow in 2013. She also represented the SA U/21 Netball team in the World Youth Championships in Singapore in 2013.
  • Diana Welmans was a member of the SA Protea team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Karate Championships in Namibia in June 2013. She also participated as a member of the SA U/21 team in the UFAK Africa Karate Championships in Tunisia in August 2013 where she received a bronze medal.
  • Line Malan was a member of the SA U/21 Hockey team that participated in the Hockey Junior World Cup in August 2013. She was also a member of the SA U/21 team that toured Europe in July 2013.
  • Nicole Walraven was a member of the SA U/21 Hockey team that participated in the Hockey Junior World Cup in August 2013. She was also a member of the SA U/21 Hockey team that toured Europe in July 2013. The SA U/21 team, of which Nicole was a member, won the Africa Cup Tournament in order to qualify for the Junior World Cup.
  • Cornelle Botha was a member of the SA U/21 Hockey team that toured Europe in July 2013. The SA U/21 team, of which Cornelle was a member, won the Africa Cup Tournament in order to qualify for the Junior World Cup.
  • Lisa Hawker was a member of the SA U/21 Hockey team that won the Africa Cup Tournament.
  • Izelle Lategan was not only a member of the SA U/21 Hockey team that participated in the Hockey Junior World Cup in August 2013, but also captained the team. She also captained the SA U/21 Hockey team that toured Europe in July 2013 and won the Africa Cup Tournament in order to qualify for the Junior World Cup. Izelle’s outstanding performances was recognised by SAHA when she was announced as the SA Junior Hockey Player. She was also a member of the SA Senior Women’s Protea team that participated in the World Series Hockey League.
  • Tanya Brits was a member of the SA U/21 Hockey team that participated in the Hockey Junior World Cup in August 2013. She was also a member of the SA U/21 Hockey team that toured Europe in July 2013 and won the Africa Cup Tournament in order to qualify for the Junior World Cup. Tanya was also a member of the SA Senior Women’s Protea team that participated in the World Series Hockey League.
  • Jacques du Toit was a member of the SA U/21 Rugby team that participated in the IRB Junior World Championships in 2013.
  • Andries Gous played as a SA U/19 Cricket player in a test series against England in January and February 2013, as well as in the One-Day Series against England during February and March 2013.
  • Wim Boshoff participated as a member of the SA U/21 team in the UFAK Africa Karate Championships in Tunisia in August 2013 where he received a bronze medal. He also participated in the Istanbul Open in Turkey in September 2013.

The KovsieSport club sport stars are:

  • Maryka Holtzhausen – Netball
  • Jaco Fourie – Hockey
  • Izelle Lategan – Hockey
  • Leonard Killeen – Cricket
  • Teboho (Oupa) Mohoje – Rugby
  • Duke Munro – Tennis
  • Christi Potgieter – Tennis
  • Ricco Sutil – Soccer
  • Choaro Khumisi – Soccer
  • Wayde van Niekerk – Athletics
  • Danelle Prinsloo - Athletics

B Category:

  • Jan Petrus van der Merwe – Aquatics
  • Elsabe le Roux – Karate
  • Tanya Basson– Judo

The USSA international participants were:

  • Wayde van Niekerk participated in the World Student Athletic Games in Russia in July 2013.
  • Gideon Trotter participated in the World Student Athletic Games in Russia in July 2013.
  • Rynhardt van Rensburg participated in the World Student Athletic Games in Russia in July 2013.
  • Dumisane Hlaselo participated in the World Student Athletic Games in Russia in July 2013.
  • Jaco Fourie participated in the World Student Hockey Games in Russia in July 2013.
  • Luke Sanan participated in the World Student Hockey Games in Russia in July 2013.
  • Robbie van Schalkwyk participated in the World Student Rugby Games in Russia in July 2013.
  • Elme de Villiers participated in the Student World Badminton Championships in Korea in November 2012.
  • Sandra le Grange participated in the Student World Badminton Championships in Korea in November 2012.

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