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Drawcard for scouts

Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Scouts are expected to invade Mahwelereng tomorrow in search of new talent during the Limpopo provincial playoffs of the Coca-Cola Football Stars, a yearly development tournament for schools in South Africa.

The games will take place at Mahwelereng Stadium.

William "Pele" Mathipa, Limpopo provincial coordinator, said: "There is an abundance of raw talent, some of the best youngsters in Limpopo will be on display.

"We are aware that the tournament has generated a lot of interest among some of the professional clubs and academies. School soccer has improved tremendously in the province lately, which makes it difficult to predict a winner.

"We urge residents of Mahwelereng and surrounding villages to come out in large numbers and support the youngsters," said Mathipa, former player and coach of Mahwelereng Motherwells.

Schools that have qualified to participate in the provincial playoffs are Khaiso (Seshego), Hudson Ntsanwisi (Tzaneen), Kgothala (Sekhukhune), Phagameng (Waterburg) and Xiclhangoma (Vembe).

Khaiso used to be one of the most feared schools in Limpopo soccer and athletics in the past, but it remains to be seen if they will walk away with the title this time round.

Their major threat will be the NkowaNkowa-based Ntsanwisi, coached by the popular Jeff Mashele, who has been to no less than 10 national championships in various school soccer events in the past seven years.

Some of the players groomed by Mashele include Wilson Shendzelani (Bidvest Wits), Theo Shiluvhane (Pretoria University) and Doctor Ntimbane, a former Black Leopards player.

"We are going to deal accordingly with any school that tries to stop us from winning.

"We are aiming to bring the national title to Limpopo," said Mashele.

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