Second time participants in Copa Coca-Cola, Western Cape Sports Academy from Kuils River, were crowned the Western Province Copa Coca-Cola Provincial winners after beating Modderdam High School from Cape Flats 3 – 0. The finals took place in Mitchell’s Plain in Cape Town under the watchful eye of former Bafana Bafana captain, Lucas Radebe.
“Today was tremendous fun for me,” said Radebe. “Firstly I managed to have one-on-one time with all eight teams that participated and therefore all the players and I found this experience exhilarating as I caught a glimpse of what 18 year old footballers are all about. There was a great deal of positive thinking and what I like so much about the Western Cape people is their sense of humour. One of the players even came to me asking if I wanted his signature as one day he will be a star and I can get in first! Spending time with youth that has passion and drive and the will to achieve was encouraging and I feel that our football future looks bright.”
Radebe also spent time with the fans: “Mitchell’s Plain has a problem with the youth using drug and belonging to gans so I spent a large part of the day speaking to the youngsters about living an active lifestyle, setting goals and following a plan of action. If today I could have inspire and changed the life of just one youngster I will feel happy.”
But football took centre stage. Defending champions, Cloetesville High School looked the team to beat after winning all their league games, but they crashed out in the semifinals by the Western Cape Sports School 5 – 3 on penalties “Cloetesville was a well disciplined and enthusiastic team,” commented Radebe. “But football is also a game of chance and luck and today was not their day. But credit must go to the Western Cape Sports School who finished second in the Provincial Finals last year.”
The school has only been in existence for a couple of years and this is their first win in a high profile tournament. “Our school focuses on sport and this win is just the start of good things to come,” said Sesanda Nkuhlu, Western Cape Sport school, Head of Sport “I think that one of the key advantages we had today was the boys fitness. Being a sports academy the players practice every day and we are always playing competitive games which helps build confidence and gives the players that edge over the competitors.”
Scouts from Ajax Cape Town made an appearance, but were cagy in giving out any information.
2010 winners, Cloetesville did not go home empty handed and Ryan Wagenaar took home the top goal scorer award for his 5 goal record.
“Copa Coca-Cola creates a wonderful opportunity to get young aspiring players to focus on what they love: playing football and developing their skills as well as living an active lifestyle,” said Themba Nobanda, Coca-Cola Brand Manager. “This sponsorship provides Coca-Cola with the platform to reach future South African football stars, role models and decision makers and we encourage them to set goals. What was so good about this weekend was to see teams that have never competed in a previous Copa Coca-Cola doing so well which means we are broadening our base.”
Western Cape Sports School wins R40 000 as the Western Province Provincial winner with the National Finals being their next challenge happening at the Galeshewe Stadium in Kimberley from 31th March to 2nd April. The national winner will take home R150 000 worth of school or sport equipment for their school.
FINAL SCORES:
LEAGUE RESULTS
Gansbaai High School 1 Bastiaanse High School 5
Western Cape Sports School 3 Portlands 1
Robinvale High School 1 Modderdam High School 2
Cloetesville High School 6 Murray High School 0
Gansbaai High School 2 Robinvale High School 1
Murray High School 0 Portlands 1
SEMIFINALS
Western Cape Sports School (1) P5 Cloetesville High School (1) P3
Bastiaanse High School 0 Modderdam High School 2
3RD AND 4TH PLACE PLAY-OFF
Bastiaanse High School 0 Cloetesville High School 4
FINAL
Western Cape Sports School Modderdam High School
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