School Football in South Africa, the tales of three boys from Sinthumule Scondary School in Ha-Ramahantsha

Although School football is extremely undervalued, it is school football in South Africa that has produced many legends, the likes of jerry Sekhosana and Brian Baloyi to name but few. Rowan Thovhakale ,Lebohang Mphasha and Tsepo Masepa are brilliant footballers who are walking on the footsteps of legends. They grew up together in dusty streets of a village called Ha-Ramahantsha, next to Louis Trichardt town in Limpopo province, South Africa. Football to them is not a pastime, but a lovely sport which they are passionate about. Growing up in a rural areas might be a disadvantage to becoming a professional footballer, but for Rowan,Tsepo and Lebohang (Lebera) is not in that perspective. The three boys are working hard day and night to pursue their dreams of playing in major leagues like Premier Soccer League (PSL). Everything that we are seeing flying in the air didn’t start there ,even an aeroplane started on the ground and being a genius is not only about great performances at schools , is about your hardworking. What is interesting about Tsepo,Lebohang and Rowan is that they are also working hard at school. Just to give a brief description of these starlets ,

Rowan Thovhakhale is a middle fielder, who knows what to do with the tempo of a game. He is comfortable on the ball, has perfect skills, killer passes, and short passes and long passes. He can be an engine of any team, he reminds me of former FC Barcelona legends Xavi and Iniesta. The way he takes penalties, he magically always sends goalkeepers to a wrong direction? On the other hand, Lebohang ‘Lebera` Mphasha is a dangerous left footed player. I feel pity for both goalkeeper and nets when Lebohang is on the field because he is a great shooter, dribbler and makes good runs with a ball .Lebo is also a free-kick specialist. Normally we find Lebera playing free role, this position is in front of middle fielder but behind the striker (Central Attacking Mid). Tsepo Masepa is a left back with speed and he plays with confidence. He is capable of defending and attacking. He is a solid defender and not tall but you will find him shielding tall men. He brings crosses and passes to the strikers Tsepo,Rowan and Lebohang with their school teammates played a huge role for their school called Sinthumule Secondary School. They won trophies, medals and prizes .They played schools tournament in 2018 where they won gold medals, prize and trophy. The interesting thing about these three players is that they played all matches for their school. It wasn’t easy for Sinthumule high to win tournaments, but through Tsepo,Rowan, Lebohang and their teammates they made it. I remember, in one schools tournament where sixteen teams were grouped four-four Sinthumule salvaged number one on their group and went all the way to win the final. . One of the dangerous sports academy known as BENNY SPORTS ACADERMY was also part of the tournament but the efforts of Tsepo ,Rowan and Lebera shown them the dust. After winning that competition they went to Tzaneen for Transnet tournament where they competed with four schools. They played league of four teams where Sinthumule took third positon and won bronze medals. After that competition the three boys were selected to represent the province of Limpopo in a national tournament containing all South African provinces. The three took part in all games representing their province. They went all the way and lost in the quarter finals where they had a chance to play for third position where they won against Mpumalanga province and ultimately won a bronze medal in the completion. Tsepo,Rowan and Lebohang are also playing in Vhembe SAB league (known as Castel) in stream E. Last season 2018/2019 they played for Zamenkomste Liverpool FC where they also won tournament called Collins Sebola, which players call it ‘Hollywood’ may because Hollywood Bettting Company was sponsoring the tournament. Collins Sebola tournament was a top eight, just like the PSL MTN8. To add to their achievements, Zamen Liverpool FC also made it to top eight as they took number seven on the log of 18 teams in 2018/19 season. Lebohang scored 15 goals with 12 assists, Rowan scored 10 goals with 23 assists and Tsepo as a defender came out with 4 goals. Tsepo,Rowan and Lebera have signed contracts with Makhitha Oscar Stars FC for this season 2019/2020. Makhitha Oscar stars normaly take position two in SAB Vhembe league on stream E. one wonders what will happen to Makhitha Oscar stars when they have three intelligent players like Rowan,Lebo and Tsepo. Personally, I would like to see players like them playing in the NFD or PSL, even Bafana-Bafana needs players like them. I believe that through their hard working they will make it. Written by:Selaelo Ramavhale If you have something to say, Clik comment button to add you view.