A group of 96 soccer players from all six sections of the Matjhabeng Local Municipality took part in trials in Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Matjhabeng sportsmen picked the best soccer players to participate in trials in Johannesburg and Pretoria on 12 July.
The players formed part of the U13 to U17 age groups, and played for local teams. Nine local coaches also formed part of the talented players that represented Matjhabeng in Gauteng.
There were 20 players of the U17 age group, 12 of the U15 group, and 26 of the U13 team selected to attend additional trials. The trials include talent scouting and grooming, as well as encouragement from former stars and current heavyweights from local soccer clubs.
A tournament will be hosted in December for those who would have passed all trials throughout the year. Among others, the tournament will include talent scouts from Premier Soccer League (PSL) clubs.
“The point of attending the first round of trials was to ensure our players are registered on the database so they can be exposed to other opportunities “ said Johannes Matsitsa, one of the coaches.
Parents were urged to continue supporting their children, and applauded for their immeasurable contribution thus far.
“I would like to congratulate the participants and encourage them to keep going as they are the stars of tomorrow. I am committed to assist them in future, while ensuring that sports is revived in our local municipality in order to curb social ills,” said cllr. Thanduxolo Khalipha, Matjhabeng’s executive mayor.
Khalipha added that he would engage with Harmony Gold to ensure the Harmony Sports Academy does more to uncover and groom local talent.
Encouragements and congratulations are also pouring from the parents and teammates for all those who participated in the trials.
