17 August 2017 – Unitas Secondary School have qualified for the Kay Motsepe Schools Cup tournament and are now aiming at the main prize.

The side from Lejweleputswa District in the Free State defeated Iketsetseng Secondary School from Fezile Dabi District 3-1 in the provincial finals to make it to the national.

The games took place this past weekend.

Iketsetseng will also make it to the nationals, as two teams from each province will compete in the nationals that will take place from 6 October.

Unitas may sound like a new name but they are a side that is not new to the nationals, having featured against Clapham in the 2016 national final as Harmony.The team is coached by former Free State Stars, Bloemfontein Celtic and AmaZulu player Pitso Mokoena.

Mokoena spoke about the benefits of winning the competition for Unitas and how they hope to use the school’s success, and the R100 000 they will receive for being provincial champions to improve things in the area.

“As Unitas, we are a school that has been called ill-disciplined and people did not see good things coming from here. But the teachers and these players worked to make sure that this happens. For us, this will go a long way in changing the perception of the school and it will push the other learners to do better,” Mokoena said.

“We are hoping that this will rub off on everyone. I have been impressed with how the players worked hard. For us, football is not just about winning on the field but improving our kids and their communities as well, so this Kay Motsepe competition is something that we really appreciate”

Having unearthed players such as SuperSport United midfielder Teboho Mokoena, Sipho Mbule, former Bloemfontein Celtic defender Tumelo Nhlapo, Kamohelo Matuka, Platinum Stars left back Luvolwethu Mpetha and current Maritzburg United number one goalkeeper Bongani Mpandle, Mokoena believes more quality players will come from Unitas.

But the coach’s main focus is to make sure that the learners do not lose focus from their academic work.

“We are going to have a meeting with the principal of the school on Monday about how we will play for the final but we cannot afford to confuse the boys because their exams are important. We want them to do well in school just as they are excelling with football. Which is why we are prioritizing the two. Our ultimate goal is to produce educated professional footballers who will know their responsibilities in the community of Lejweleputswa district,” said the Welkom born Mokoena.