The Under -18 Copa Coca-Cola school football teams that competed in the Gauteng provincial finals in Kwa -Thema today, Saturday 5 March, did so before football legends including Lucas Radebe, Isaac Shai, Seputla Nhlapho, Yster Ndlovu and Robinson Seakamelala as well as referee analyst, Sylvester Ndaba.
While all eight teams played their best, the School of Excellence (Elandsfontein Region) and Mohloli (Sharpville Region) each topped their respective Groups to compete in the final.
Credit must go to Mohloli High, who went into the final as underdogs against the mighty School of Excellence, as they were crowned the Gauteng champions winning 5 – 4 on penalties after the full time score ended in a stale mate.
Mohloli High win R40 000 as the Gauteng provincial winners with the National Finals being their next challenge happening at the Galeshewe Stadium in Kimberley from 30th March to 2nd April. The national winner will take home R150 000 worth of school or sport equipment for their school.
Coca-Cola is well aware of the challenges facing the youth today and uses this platform, Copa Coca-Cola, to encourage youth development as well as an active and healthy.
“It was a fantastic day,” said ex Leeds and Bafana Bafana captain Lucas Radebe who is also the Copa Coca-Cola ambassador. “Copa Coca-Cola gives school footballers the opportunity to play competitively and also encourages them to live an active and meaningful lifestyle. While only one team can win, all players received the same opportunity to be seen by scouts who are looking for players to boost their development teams. Copa Coca-Cola is football development at its best.”
The Mohloli coach, Tebello Kheswa, could not contain his excitement at being crowned the Copa Coca-Cola Gauteng champions. “This is the first time we have played in Coca Coca-Cola and getting through to the finals was a huge achievement, something we did not expect. Furthermore, facing one of the top football youth academies in the country, the School of Excellence, in the finals was a daunting task. But I just told my players to go out there and focus on their own strengths and enjoy the game. Do not worry about the other team. This is exactly what they did and the rest is history. Now we are going to focus on the national finals.”
For the first time in the Copa Cola-Cola tournament we had a shared accolade with two players from different teams taking the top goalscorer of the tournament award.
Top goalscorers: Rethabile Soso (Mohloli) and Mohau Maine (School of Excellence) 5 goals each
RESULTS
GROUP A GROUP B
School of Excellence (Elandsfontein) Jet Nteo (Boipatong)
Seana Marena (Mapetla, Soweto) Highlands Boys High (Jo’burg North)
Tisetsong (Alberton) Buhle Bemfundo (Ekurhuleni)
Rosina (Laudium) Mohlodi (Sharpville)
RESULTS:
Tisetsong 1 School of Excellence 1
Seana Marena 1 Rosina 4
Mohloli 2 Buhle Bemfundo 2
Highlands North 0 Jet Nteo 2
Tisetsong 0 Rosina 3
School of Excellence 4 Seana Marena 0
Buhlebemfundo 0 Jet Nteo 2
Highlands North 1 Mohloli 34
School of Excellence 1 Rosina 0
Seana Marena 1 Tisetsong 0
Highlands North 2 Buhlebemfundo 2
Jet Nteo 0 Mohloli 1
FINAL LOG POSTION
GROUP A
Sports School of Excellence, Rosina, Teanamerena, Tiisetsong
GROUP B
Mohloli, Jet Nteo, Buhlebemfundo, Highlands North
FINAL
School of excellence (0) Mohloli (0)
Mohloli won 5 – 4 on penalties
Media Enquiries:
Tulisiwe Mkatshwa
Brand PR and Communications Manager
Coca-Cola South Africa
0823771207
On behalf of Coca-Cola
Intune Communications
Pearl Ndlazi
0832321389
The Coca-Cola Company
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