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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

Wayde the next big star, says Michael Johnson

2016-08-15

Wayde van Niekerk won South Africa’s first gold medal
at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Photos: Gallo Images

"Usain Bolt will be retiring soon, this could be the next star." That is how the legendary Michael Johnson explained the feat by the Kovsie athlete Wayde van Niekerk. Van Niekerk broke Johnson’s 17-year old world record in the 400m when he won gold in 43.03 at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday night (Monday morning, SA time). It was also South Africa’s first track gold medal in 96 years.

Johnson, whose record was beaten by 0.15, described the way in which the 24-year-old South African outperformed the 400m field as ‘a massacre’. The American won two Olympic 400m titles.

"The UFS congratulates Wayde and his youthful coach, our own Tannie Ans.”

"Van Niekerk is so young, what else can he do? Can he go under 43 seconds? It is something I thought I could do, but never did,” Johnson said on www.bbc.com. Van Niekerk thanked Johnson in a BBC Sport interview for setting an example. “I just went out there and did my best tonight,” the BA Marketing student from the University of the Free State (UFS) said.

Greatest UFS achievement in 114 years – Prof Jansen

“This is by far the greatest achievement of any UFS student in 114 years,” said Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS. “And that he broke one of the world’s toughest athletic records with his trademark grace and humility, makes him a role model to millions of South African youth.

“The UFS congratulates Wayde and his youthful coach, our own Tannie Ans.”

The 74-year-old Botha has been coaching Van Niekerk since 2012. “She's an amazing woman," Van Niekerk said to www.sport24.co.za about her. “I'm just grateful that I can trust in her work and I think it speaks for itself.”

"Van Niekerk is so young, what else
can he do? Can he go under
43 seconds?”

Bolt and Twitter full of praise for South African inspiration

Bolt, who won his third consecutive 100m crown in Rio, interrupted his own media interviews at the Olympic stadium to congratulate Van Niekerk.

Twitter also erupted as many praised the UFS star. Gary Player, who is the manager of the SA golf team at the Olympics, tweeted: “What a run! What a man! Congrats @WaydeDreamer #proudlySA #GOLDMEDAL #RSA”.

AB de Villiers, the South African One Day International cricket captain, also congratulated him: “What a special feeling waking up to the news of @WaydeDreamer winning the 400m and breaking the world record. Great inspiration to so many!”

More articles:
Wayde van Niekerk makes sprinting history
UFS community proud of Wayde’s hat trick of awards
Wayde nominated with SA’s best
Wayde one of the Adidas faces for Rio 2016
NBC tells Wayde’s story
Wayde, Karla crowned as KovsieSport’s best
UFS congratulates Wayde van Niekerk and other students for their national and international
Kovsies Wayde van Niekerk wins gold at the IAAF World Championship

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