Joburg – Karabo Selabe was filled with conflicting emotions after assisting Copperbelt Ladies to clinch promotion to the Hollywoodbets Super League on home turf.
Copperbelt was founded in 2019 in Moletjie Kanana Village, a small village in Limpopo, the same year the elite Super League began play.
In 2020, however, they executed a coaching masterstroke by appointing Selabe, a former professional football player, as the new head coach of the squad.
Selabe, who played for Magesi FC for 24 years before retiring in 2016 due to nagging injuries, offered the team hope with his playing experience.
But his hard effort paid off last year, when they won the provincial Sasol League and qualified for this year’s postponed national championship playoffs.
The delayed national play-offs took place in Durban when Copperbelt failed to qualify for the final and outrightly secure promotion to the Super League.
They did not despair, however, since they were again proclaimed provincial champions this year and had the honor of hosting the national playoff.
They grasped this opportunity with both hands, qualifying for the final to earn promotion and a chance to win R200,000 in addition to a promotion.
Friday, following his team’s 2-1 semi-final victory over NWU Tawana, Selabe expressed pride and awe at their accomplishments thus far.
“We are thrilled to receive a promotion.
“It wasn’t easy, and our team is young.
In Polokwane, Selabe stated, “We have performed a miracle.”
“We were written off, but with the help of those females, we believed we could prevail here. We are incredibly thrilled and humbled by this result.”
Winning against the University of Pretoria in Sunday’s final at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium would not be easy for the hosts, given Tuks’ resources.
Tuks, coached by former Banyana Banyana defender Maude Khumalo, possess a high-performance centre and also have a PSL club.
However, Copperbelt lacks such conveniences. Prior to the playoffs, they had forced to train on a gravel field due to their extreme disadvantage.
“We are a village team, and sponsors will not come for girls from a hamlet. Additionally, we trained on a gravel training field, as Selabe indicated.
Despite the difficulties associated with women’s football, Selabe wishes to advance his coaching credentials and continue to contribute to women’s football.
The 29-year-old, who believes he is the youngest coach in the play-offs, intends to begin his Caf C coaching licence after getting his Caf D coaching licence.
“I have no problem coaching female football. These women were responsible for my exposure. No one believed in me when I retired,” Selbe explained.
“I lacked a coaching license at the time. I completed my Caf D license three months ago and am now eager to earn my Caf C license.”
The extension of his Caf C license remains a mid-term objective for Selabe, who want to return the supporters for their recent support.
@Mihlalibaleka