NORTH WEST University has heeded Safa's call to develop the beautiful game and is continuing to grow a football institute in the province.
The North West University Institute, which was started in 2007, has so far produced five players for different national teams: two for the Under-23s and three for Amajita.
The Under-23s players are goalie Bualefa Pule and midfielder Luvolwethu Mpeta, while Sipho Nyafaso, Banele Ndlovu and Andile "Ace" Khumalo play for Amajita.
Director and co-founder of the institution, Johan Govea, said even though it's not easy running the institute, he was encouraged by Safa's commitment to grassroots football.
"The English Football Association gave us £300000 (R3,4million) when we first started with the project, but the money has since run out.
"We are, however, currently in dialogue with them to see if they won't give us more money," Govea said.
Asked about the idea behind the formation of the institute, he said: "I believe that this country has so much talent that it can actually become one of the leading football countries in the world.
"I think after the successful World Cup, the country deserves that."
Matric exemption guarantees entry into the university.
"We not only want them to excel in football, but we want them to have sound academic education," he said.
The head coach at the institute, Jan "Malombo" Lechaba, who sometimes helps Shakes Mashaba with the Under-23 squad, said he was happy to be involved in such a project.
"We want to help make these boys better players. There is no doubt that North West Province has a lot of talent which needs to be nurtured and I'm glad to be a part of this project.
"Safa have been very supportive and they have indicated that they are prepared to help us in any way possible and this is great news for South African football," Lechaba said.
University's soccer programme getting better
NORTH WEST University has heeded Safa's call to develop the beautiful game and is continuing to grow a football institute in the province.
The North West University Institute, which was started in 2007, has so far produced five players for different national teams: two for the Under-23s and three for Amajita.
The Under-23s players are goalie Bualefa Pule and midfielder Luvolwethu Mpeta, while Sipho Nyafaso, Banele Ndlovu and Andile "Ace" Khumalo play for Amajita.
Director and co-founder of the institution, Johan Govea, said even though it's not easy running the institute, he was encouraged by Safa's commitment to grassroots football.
"The English Football Association gave us £300000 (R3,4million) when we first started with the project, but the money has since run out.
"We are, however, currently in dialogue with them to see if they won't give us more money," Govea said.
Asked about the idea behind the formation of the institute, he said: "I believe that this country has so much talent that it can actually become one of the leading football countries in the world.
"I think after the successful World Cup, the country deserves that."
Matric exemption guarantees entry into the university.
"We not only want them to excel in football, but we want them to have sound academic education," he said.
The head coach at the institute, Jan "Malombo" Lechaba, who sometimes helps Shakes Mashaba with the Under-23 squad, said he was happy to be involved in such a project.
"We want to help make these boys better players. There is no doubt that North West Province has a lot of talent which needs to be nurtured and I'm glad to be a part of this project.
"Safa have been very supportive and they have indicated that they are prepared to help us in any way possible and this is great news for South African football," Lechaba said.
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