The Free State Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup Provincial finals taking place on Saturday, 14 May, will now be held at the Flavius Mareka Stadium in Sasolburg and no longer in Parys. The announcement was made by the South African Schools Football Association (SASFA) and the Free State Local Organising Committee who expressed their sincere apology for any inconvenience this might cause to the media and football fans.
Each of the six Free State Regions held their finals on Saturday, 7 May to determine their representatives in the Provincial finals. The ultimate winner this Saturday will represent the Free State in the National Finals scheduled for July. Games kick-off at 9am with teams divided into two groups which will compete in a round robin format with the teams topping the logs playing in the final.
Harmony High School, second-place finishers in the 2010 Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup, will represent the Lejweleputswa region for the fifth successive year. Harmony is a football academy that provides a steady stream of players to the Premier Soccer League clubs. Harmony beat Rainbow Secondary School of Tswelopele Municipality 1-0 at the regional finals held at Boschoff Stadium last week to book a berth in the Provincial Finals.
As hosts, Fezile Dabi District can have two schools participating in the Provincial finals, these will be Dr Regional Cingo High and Nkgopoleng High.
Dr Regional Cingo High will represent Moqhaka Municipality in the Provincial Finals. The school has been participating in the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup for the past four years, this is their first trip to the Provincial finals: “The 1–0 win against Nkgopoleng High of Metsimaholo Municipality is a clear indication of what hard work and determination can do for you. The players are looking forward to participating at the next level – we worked exceptionally hard to make sure we snatch the top position,” said coach Pule Nketu after one of the team’s training sessions.
Opposition coach, Stephen Mokati of Nkgopoleng High School said: “It was a tough match and the score could have been worse. We were rusty and we made mistakes which could have been easily avoided. We created several scoring opportunities but unfortunately couldn’t convert. We are currently training hard and are optimistic of a win come this weekend.”
Frank Louw, Sanlam Sponsorship Manager said: “We are excited to see so many newcomers to the provincial finals as it reflects the level of development taking place in high school soccer. Sanlam believes that the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup creates opportunities that have a positive impact on the youth, opportunities for youngsters to achieve what they hope for by providing exposure to scouts for talented players.”
Another school with an impressive track record in the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup, Ntsu High School of Thabo Mofutsanyana District, will make their third appearance in the Provincial Finals after beating Nkhodiso High from QwaQwa 4 – 0 in their Regional Finals.
Ntsu coach, Michael Masooa, was pleased with the win: “Nkhodiso had all the support as they were playing at home, but my players were not fazed by the fans cheering for the opposition. I must commend their goalkeeper who put up a good fight despite being let down by his defence line. If it wasn’t for him the margin would have been a lot higher.”
Commtech Comprehensive High from Bloemfontein beat Lereng High School of Mantsopa Municipality 3-1, to represent Motheo Region in the Provincial finals. Commtech coach, Molahlehi Sealanyane, described the game as one of skill versus skill: “It was a tough final and Lereng High had some exceptional players, but it was our day and we are going to the Provincial Finals. We have been playing in the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Cup for a couple of years and this is the first time we are through to the Provincial Finals. Our goal now is to represent the Free State at the National Finals in July.
Another newcomer to the Provincial Finals is Ipetleng High School of Petrusburg, this after beating Lere-lathuto High School of Zastron 1-0 in their Regional finals.
“Through the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup, Sanlam aims to have a positive impact on the youth, providing an opportunity to address the physical wellness of the individual through participation in sports and improved educational facilities for the benefit of the rest of the pupils in the winning schools and the broader community,” concludes Frank Louw, Sanlam Sponsorship Manager.
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