Bree Primary youngster a key player at Danone Nations Cup World Finals
Tshegofatso Nkge is one of the star players who will be travelling to Morocco in October, with Bree Primary School, to represent South Africa at the under-12 Danone Nations Cup World Finals.
Bree defeated Nelson Mandela Primary School, from the Free State, 2-0 at the WJ Clement Stadium, in Reiger Park, in the national finals, to book a spot for their third appearance at the world finals.
According to the school principal Dave Kalicharan, the youngster will play a key role in the team leading up to and during the tournament.
“He is a great motivator and is always joking around and making his team mates laugh,” said Kalicharan.
“This is over and above the fact that he is a skilled centre back who one day wants to emulate his hero, Neil Tovey.”
Tshegofatso started playing soccer in the streets when he was only five years of age and was spotted by the coach of Naledi Academy, Bizza.
“He saw my potential and mentored me and in 2013 he took me and five other players to attend trials at Bree Primary School; three of us were successful, and I joined Bree in January 2014,” he said.
The youngster has settled into the school well and has made many new friends and credits the success of the team to the dedication of the principal.
Playing in the Danone Nations Cup national finals is seen by Tshegofatso as one of the highlights of his life to date.
“On that day we were filled with so many emotions; happy, excited, scared and intimidated. The final was against Nelson Mandela and from the start of the game I knew that we were going to win,” he said.
“They were a very strong team, but we were stronger and hungrier than they were. Winning the nationals made me realise how much I love soccer and how important it is to work hard.”
However, Tshegofatso is aware that the world finals are a different ball game.
“We will be playing against the best schools from different countries. There is a lot of pressure on us, as everyone wants us to reach the same heights as our 2009 team that won the world finals.
“Our biggest advantage is the fact that our coach was at the world finals and has seen how different countries play soccer.”
Tshegofatso went on to explain how much he’s looking forward to exploring Morocco.
“I have never heard of the country before,” he said.
”I want to have fun and enjoy myself the entire time that I am there.”
On his return from Morocco the youngster is hoping to be signed by an academy that will take him a step closer to playing soccer professionally one day.
“Soccer is my passion and I definitely want to make a career out of it; I know that there are plenty of scouts out there who come and see our games,” he said. – @SabeloBoksburg
