Former Free State province team captain at the SAB U21 National Championships, Mojalefa Selumetse is thankful to football for opening educational doors for him after recently completing his 3-year National Diploma in Education.

Selumetse is now a full time English teacher and coach at Senakangwedi High School in Botshabelo in the Free State.

The lanky defender completed his studies after being funded through the SAB League Study Assistance programme from the South African Breweries, a proud partner of SAFA.

The 22-year-old defender was part of the Free State squad the consecutively won the SAB U21 National Championships in 2014 and 2015 under coach Litre Mokitlane and his now giving back to his community through education and football.

“No words can express how grateful I am to SAB and SAFA for providing such a platform for me. I may not have made it as a professional player even though I still have age on my side but I am a full time English teacher and a football coach at my school. Through playing football, I have grown to becoming a role model and example to my peers” said an elated Selumetse.

Selumetse played in the SAB League from the age of 16 and represented his province three times at the National Championships.

While passionately playing football, the outspoken defender made it a priority that he strikes a balance between football and education – something he urges young footballers to try and master.

“I know how much we love football but it is highly important that we balance it out with a good solid education. Not all of us can make it as professional footballers. Even if we do, we need to understand that football can sometimes be a very short career and we need to have something to fall back on” said Selumetse.