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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

First CAS Winter School brings researchers together
2016-08-01

Description: CAS Winter School  Tags: CAS Winter School

International and University of the Free State delegates
during the three day Centre for Africa Studies
winter school.
Photo: Supplied

The first biennial doctoral Winter School by the Centre for Africa Studies at the University of the Free State (UFS) brought together UFS PhD researchers as well as current and new Africa Studies students specialising in the Conflict and Peace subfield.

According to Prof Heidi Hudson, Director of the Centre for Africa Studies, this was the aim of the Winter School, hosted in collaboration with the John and Elnora Ferguson Centre for African Studies (JEFCAS) in the Department of Peace Studies at the University of Bradford  in the United Kingdom. The Winter School took place from 18-22 July 2016 on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus.

Doctoral students gain deeper insight during school

Prof Hudson said the Winter School was presented to share insights, and develop further understanding of the complex terrain of interdisciplinary studies.
“The School also provided an opportunity for the Centre’s newly-recruited doctoral students specialising in peace and conflict to gain deeper insight into Peace Studies methodologies,” said Prof Hudson.

Why male ex-combatants resort to violent behaviour?

To conclude the Winter School, Prof Donna Pankhurst from the University of Bradford presented a seminar. Her research paper, What is wrong with men? Revisiting violence against women in conflict and peacebuilding, tries to explain why men resort to violent behaviour after the end of combat duty. Prof Pankhurst described her research title as “a wacky title to grab people’s attention”. “This paper is part of a larger study which is exploring the extent to which post-traumatic stress disorder may impact on male ex-combatants' tendency to commit violence against women,” said Prof Pankhurst.

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