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UFS Welcomes Mokete Tsotetsi as the new KovsieFootball Head Coach

06 August 2025 | Story Onthatile Tikoe | Photo Tshepo Tsotetsi

New Coach — Coach Mokete Tsotetsi (left) is warmly welcomed by Jerry Laka (right), Director of KovsieSport, following his appointment as the new Head Coach of the KovsieFootball men’s team at the University of the Free State.

The University of the Free State (UFS) is proud to announce the appointment of Coach Mokete Tsotetsi as the new Head Coach of the KovsieFootball men’s team. With this significant appointment, the UFS marks the beginning of an exciting chapter in its football programme under the leadership of a seasoned professional with deep roots in South African football.

Coach Tsotetsi, a former South African international defender, brings with him not only a decorated playing history, including stints with Jomo Cosmos, Kaizer Chiefs, and Bloemfontein Celtic, but also a wealth of experience in developing athletes into disciplined, high-performing individuals. Known during his playing days as a hard-working and hard-tackling defender, Coach Tsotetsi is no stranger to commitment and excellence – qualities that strongly align with the values of the UFS.

“We are thrilled to welcome Coach Mokete Tsotetsi as the new Head Coach of KovsieFootball,” says Jerry Laka, Director of KovsieSport. “Coach Tsotetsi brings a wealth of experience, passion, and leadership to our football programme, and we are excited about the future under his guidance.”

More than just a coach, Coach Tsotetsi is recognised as a mentor and leader who sees sport as a vehicle for holistic student development. His appointment signals the UFS’ intent to elevate the performance and culture of KovsieFootball, both on and off the field.

“This is a new era for our football programme,” continues Laka. “We believe that Coach Mokete will bring a winning mentality and a positive culture to our team. We are confident that he will inspire our players to achieve great things. A good coach will make his players see what they can be rather than what they are.”

Although Coach Tsotetsi and his team are under pressure with the tournament fast approaching, he assures the UFS community that he will not bring one-dimensional football, but tactical and entertaining football.

The UFS community is encouraged to extend a warm Kovsie welcome to Coach Tsotetsi as he embarks on this journey. With the tournament commencing tomorrow, 7 August 2025, we encourage you to stay informed about the team's upcoming fixtures. Their opening match will be against UP-Tuks Men's Football at 19:15, followed by a second fixture against UJ Men's Football on 14 August 2025.

To stay updated on their full schedule, please click here.

News Archive

Kovsie Rugby best in town

2009-06-24

Photo: Volksblad

The Shimlas and the Irawas, the first and second rugby teams of the University of the Free State (UFS), recently played in the final of the Bloemfontein city cup. According to Mr Dougie Heymans, Kovsie Rugby Manager and assistant couch of the Shimlas, it was a tough match and the Shimlas won 42-17. The last time that the Shimlas and Irawas played against each other was in 2004. On this day, against all expectations, the Irawas won the “Stadsbeker”.

The UFS’s U/21 team also played against the UFS third team, the Ritsims, in the final of the second league and won 22-14. It was the first time in history that the Ritsems played in the final of the Second League in the City League, and that against the UFS’s U/21 team.

All four the teams who competed in the final for the “Stadsbeker” and Second League of the “Stadsbeker”, are from the UFS’s Rugby Club.

The UFS will also for the first time since 2006 have a team in the national club championships.

The Shimlas are participating at the Universities Sport South Africa (USSA) rugby tournament that is currently being presented at the University of Johannesburg.

“We at Kovsie Rugby are proud of our teams, our couches and support staff,” said Mr Heymans.

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