The township of Ikhutseng in Warrenton has delivered another football jewel in the making in Ponatshego Motlhabi, who has been called up to the national Under-17 team.
THE TOWNSHIP of Ikhutseng in Warrenton has delivered another football jewel in the making in Ponatshego Motlhabi, who has been called up to the national Under-17 team.
Newly-elected Safa Northern Cape deputy chairperson Doc Mathe made the announcement on his social media timeline on Monday.
Motlhabi is a 17-year-old Grade 9 pupil at Mogomotsi High School in Warrenton.
Mathe’s post read: “The first player to wear national colours from the dusty streets of Ikhutseng. Ngwana wa ga Lombo Landry. A child raised and taken care of by Bro Simon Sebe coach of Samuel Rangers FC in the Magareng district.”
Mathe revealed that Motlhabi, who plays as an outright striker, was earlier this year spotted and recruited by a talent scout from Richmond United Ladies FC from De Aar. The women’s outfit plays in the Hollywoodbets Super League and honours its league fixtures at the Merino Park artificial turf stadium in De Aar.
Motlhabi was part of the Richmond Ladies team that took the field last weekend against Tshwane University of Technology FC.
Mathe was understandably excited at the prospect of Motlhabi in the national jersey. The Safa Northern Cape region had a week ago received Nthabiseng Majiya, who returned from the recently completed Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Majiya was part of the victorious South African women’s team that beat hosts Morocco in the final of the competition and emerged as first-time champions of the continental federation.
