By Obakeng Maje
Taung-The Lucas Tlhomelang tournament kick-started yesterday and teams were upbeat to play and win their games to qualify for next rounds.

The teams came out blazing and most players are registered with a local league.

However Zebras United coach William Nerven blasts the set up and says more referees and players legitimate date of birth need to be produced.

This came after the was a player from Bophirima All Stars who could not produce legitimate card as a registered player.

“I am not really happy because the referee standard was very poor as we saw career-threating tackles flying around, but the referee failed to protect players. But overall with tournament like this we learn and see how far are we with standard of football” said Nerven.

Lucas Tlhomelang also shared the same sentiment as said this is all the start: “Probably this is only the start as by doing this we’re also learning. We need more equipments and as I said this is a learning curve for us”.

Zebras United lost 2-1 against Bophirima All Stars and will player their next game on a back foot to try and catch-up and accumulate points.

Tlhomelang said even though the potential is there in many youngsters, more soccer clinics need to be provided.

“The potebtial is there, but the players need to be developed. They need to learn more about football techniques, tactics and basics. Said Tlhomelang.

He said with time and with more experienced coaches, they can climb the uphill.

Taung is a remoted area and football development is equally to zero.

Tlhomelang brought other former player like James Mothibi to help develop current players.

The tournament countinue today as teams will play their last group game and qualify for Semis.-TDN
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