Dr. Mosimane praises Meridian Northern Academy’s Kay Motsepe Cup success
The Meridian Northern Academy football team was celebrated and warmly welcomed by the school on Monday, 7 October, during a special assembly held in recognition of their recent success at the Kay Motsepe Schools Soccer Tournament.
The event was graced by the presence of several dignitaries, including Cobus Loubser (CEO of Curro Holdings), Funani Maseko (Limpopo MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture), and Dr. Pitso Mosimane, the highly decorated South African coach of, among others, Bafana Bafana, SuperSport United, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Egyptian giants, Al Ahly.
On Saturday, 28 September, the u19 boys’ team from Polowane’s Meridian Northern Academy triumphed in the Kay Motsepe Schools Soccer Tournament, a prestigious national tournament featuring over 13 000 teams from more than 5 000 schools.
The tournament has seen the likes of former Bafana Bafana star Hlompo Kekana participating in it. Kekana went on to have an outstanding career as captain of the Mamelodi Sundowns during which they won six Premier League titles, the Caf Champions League, and the Caf Super Cup.
Cobus Loubser commended both the u19 and u13 boys’ teams, the latter of which secured a bronze medal in the tournament, which was sponsored by Sanlam and the Motsepe Foundation.
Loubser described the school’s achievement as one of the greatest feats of all of the Curro Group’s sports teams in its 25-year history.
“Curro’s mission is to offer exceptional opportunities to many more learners in every aspect of life,” Loubser said.
“Our task is to nurture and support learners to reach their potential, to inspire, motivate, and guide them to excellence in whatever they do. Champions often inspire us to strive for greatness in our own lives, whether it be in sports or other areas.”
Led by Coach of the Tournament, Hendrick Mukwevho, the Meridian Northern Academy saw a number of their players scoop individual accolades for their performances throughout the competition.
Thato Mpati took home the Golden Boot Award, while Bokang Thaba was named Player of the Tournament. Team captain, Thabo Malatsi, was honoured for his exceptional goalkeeping and leadership.
Mosimane, the founder of the Pitso Mosimane Soccer Schools (PMSS), also congratulated the promising young talents.
During his tenure in charge of the national team, the Premier Soccer League’s most successful coach of all time was a vocal proponent of the need for greater investment in youth development football to improve South Africa’s fortunes on the global stage. This led Mosimane to launch PMSS in 2023.
The Meridian Northern Academy was one of the pilot schools used to initiate the programme in 2023, with great success. Thousands of learners within the primary schools of the greater Curro Group have followed the expanded programme in 2024 to develop their athletic ability and football skills.
“When I was coach of Bafana, I worked with remarkable players who represented the nation at the highest level and played overseas,” Mosimane said.
“My experience of having coached internationally led me to ask myself how far we are from the highest international level. It made me realise that we need to start football training at an early age.
“So, where is the best place to start? At school, because that is where you find mass participation from a young age. That is how we got involved with Curro.
“Congratulations to Curro and the Northern Academy coaches,” he added.
Loubser echoed Mosimane’s sentiments, encouraging the class of 2024 ahead of their final exams and thanking the staff and parents for their tireless support.
“I want to honour every teacher and every parent of every learner at Meridian Northern Academy for their sacrifices and support. You should be very proud of the champions before us today, as well as of every other learner on every team at this school.
“We have so much more work to do in our society, so many more opportunities to create, so many more young heroes to support. Curro is inspired to offer exceptional, quality education.
“Every child matters.”
