DANONE NATIONS CUP NORTH WEST AND MPUMALANGA PROVINCIAL FINALS - RESULTS

Mhlahle Primary School from the Bushbuckridge Region showed that determination and hard work can make dreams come true when they were crowned Mpumalanga’s Danone Nations Cup Provincial champions after beating Dumelani Primary School from Nkangala Region 1 – 0.  The games were held at the Ackerville Stadium in Witbank on Saturday, 16 April. The boys from Lillidale are now a step closer to going to Spain by booking themselves a place in the National Finals to be held on the 09^th July in Gauteng.

“This is the second time we are playing in the Danone Nations Cup,” said Team manger and Natural Science teacher, Caiphus Mtileni.  “Last year we didn’t even get to the Provincial Finals so I am so happy that, not only did we get there this year, but we are now through to the National Finals. The Danone Nations Cup is the highlight of our sports calendar, which I am sure it is for the majority of primary schools as it gives our youngsters an experience of a life time at such a young age. “

Explaining on his team performance Mtileni said: “I credit our success to my midfield.  I have two players that were particularly good.  In fact, our village has never produced a player that has gone on to compete in the PSL, but I think if trained correctly, there are a couple in my team with huge potential.”

Mhlahle Primary School was established in 1985 in the rural town of Lillidale where most of the youngsters come from single unemployed households that rely on child grants to survive.  The school currently has 700 learners and Mtileni believes that a trip to Spain for the youngsters would open their eyes to the world and would motivate then to strive harder to plot a life forward and then achieve their dreams.  “Our youngsters cannot even conceptualise what Spain is all about and a trip there would just broaden their minds to what else there is in the world.  That is why I am going to prepare the team well for the National Finals.”

“Our coach has a SAFA Level 0 certificate which qualifies him to teach youngsters of Under 12 age.  What will help us further is the fact that all the boys belong to one of the four Clubs in our village.  These coaches will give us a helping hand to train the players to peak on 9 July and hopefully lift the trophy.” said an excited Mtileni. Mpumalanga finished 6^th in the 2010 Danone Nations Cup

North West also held their Provincial Finals on the same day with Nosizwe Primary School from Stillfontein in Dr Kenneth Kaunda Region beating Stellaland Primary School from Dr Ruth Mompati region 3 – 0.

Nosizwe Primary’s team Captain, Goodman Mosele, led by example and opened the scoring. The score line was increased by teammates Lonamile Kweqe and Phobsa Bila to clinch a win that won them a place in the National Finals.

Nosizwe and Mhlahle Primary Schools will join Kgwahlele Primary school from Limpopo in the Danone Nations Cup National Finals scheduled for Eldorado Park on 9 July.  The next Provincial Final will take place on 7 May in KwaZulu Natal and Northern Cape.

The winner of the National Final will get to go to Madrid, Spain, to compete in the Danone Nations Cup World Final, the biggest Under 12 tournament in the world.  There will be 40 nations competing.  South Africa is the only country to have won the tournament three times (2003, 2007 and 2009).  The tournament is based on four pillars: the values of the passion for the game, openness, accessibility and fair play.  These pillars are important to the development of the player as his passion for the game develops at this age. The concept was also established to encourage the youth of the world to live healthy lifestyles and pay attention to nutrition.

RESULTS – MPUMALANGA PROVINCIAL FINALS

PHAPHAMANI PRIMARY SCHOOL (Gert Sibande Region)

DUMELANI PRIMARY SCHOOL (Nkangala Region)

MHLAHLE PRIMARY SCHOOL (Bushbuckridge Region)

MJAMENI PRIMARY SCHOOL (Ehlanzeni Region)

Phaphamani Primary School 2 (3p) vs Dumelani Primary School 2 (2)

Mhlahle Primary School 2 vs Majemeni Primary School 1

Mhlahle Primary School 1  vs Phaphamani Primary School 0

Majembeni Primary School  2 vs Dumelani Primary School 0

Majembeni Primary School  4 vs  Phaphamani Primary School 2

Mhlahle Primary School 2 vs  Dumelani  Primary School 0

FINAL LOG POSTION

1^st – Mhlahle Primary School – 9 pts

2^nd – Dumelani Primary School – 4 pts

3^rd – Majembeni Primary School – 3 pts

4^th – Phaphamani Primary School – 1 pts

FINAL

Mhlahle Primary School 1 vs.  Dumelani Primary School 0

RESULTS - NORTH WEST

STELLALAND PRIMARY SCHOOL (Dr Ruth Mompati Region)

MOSHANA PRIMARY SCHOOL (Ngaka Modiri Molema Region)

NOSIZWE PRIMARY SCHOOL (Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Region)

TSHENOLO PRIMARY SCHOOL (Bojanala Region)

Stellaland Primary School 2 (4) vs. Nosizwe Primary School 2 (3)

Tshenolo Primary School 0 vs. Moshana Primary School 1

Tshenolo Primary School 1 vs. Stellaland Primary School 5

Nosizwe Primary School 1 vs. Moshana Primary School 0

Moshana Primary School 1 (2) vs.  Stellaland Primary School 1(3)

Nosizwe Primary School 4 vs Tshenolo Primary School 2

FINAL LOG POSTION

1^st – Nosizwe Primary School – 7 pts

2^nd – Stellaland Primary School – 5 pts

3^rd – Moshana Primary School – 4 pts

4^th – Tshenolo Primary School – 0 pts

FINAL

Nosizwe Primary School 3 vs.  Stellaland Primary School 0

DANONE NATIONS CUP – 2011 NORTH WEST PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONS – Nosizwe Primary School.