The Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup regional finals continue this weekend with three regions in Mpumalanga holding their finals on Saturday, May 14. The teams that take first place here will proceed to compete in the provincial finals to be held next week.
In the Nkangala region, 2010 Mpumalanga champions, Delmas-based Phaphamani High School will face Sikhulile Secondary School from Belfast, Somkhahlekwa Secondary School from Siyabuswa, Kriel High School from Witbank, Mgudlwa High School from Kwamhlanga and Sofunda Secondary School at the Libangeni Stadium in Witbank.
Though Phaphamani coach Thobile Mdzanga is cautiously optimistic, his boys are determined to assert their power on the pitch and confident that they will be seen at the provincial finals next week. Tebogo Ngoma will lead the team as captain, but the 17-year-old striker will also have to score goals to keep his team in the race.
“We are at a crucial part of the tournament and I am a bit anxious,” Ngoma admits. “We are a completely new team this year; most of my team mates were doing matric last year. However, all our players are confident - and that is what matters the most. We will fight with all that we have to make sure we qualify”.
Having taken part in the tournament last year, Ngoma and team mates Innocent Ngozo and Fani Jordan will use the experience they gained last year to provide guidance and moral support to the new team. Phaphamani took home R100 000 after coming out tops in the province last year and represented Mpumalanga in the national finals.
In the Nkangala region, 2010 Mpumalanga champions, Delmas-based Phaphamani High School will face Sikhulile Secondary School from Belfast, Somkhahlekwa Secondary School from Siyabuswa, Kriel High School from Witbank, Mgudlwa High School from Kwamhlanga and Sofunda Secondary School at the Libangeni Stadium in Witbank.
Though Phaphamani coach Thobile Mdzanga is cautiously optimistic, his boys are determined to assert their power on the pitch and confident that they will be seen at the provincial finals next week. Tebogo Ngoma will lead the team as captain, but the 17-year-old striker will also have to score goals to keep his team in the race.
“We are at a crucial part of the tournament and I am a bit anxious,” Ngoma admits. “We are a completely new team this year; most of my team mates were doing matric last year. However, all our players are confident - and that is what matters the most. We will fight with all that we have to make sure we qualify”.
Having taken part in the tournament last year, Ngoma and team mates Innocent Ngozo and Fani Jordan will use the experience they gained last year to provide guidance and moral support to the new team. Phaphamani took home R100 000 after coming out tops in the province last year and represented Mpumalanga in the national finals.
Newcomers East High College of Excellence, a sports academy from Nelspruit, are another force to be reckoned with. They have already qualified to represent the Ehlanzeni region at the provincial finals. They beat Kamohola Secondary School from Barberton 5 -4 in penalties after a goalless draw last Saturday.
Despite the fact that the school has not been particularly strong in development tournaments like the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Cup and is still struggling to make ends meet, they have done well to make a name for themselves. Established in 1998, East high College of Excellence has produced numerous well-known players like Free State Stars central midfielder Bongani Nyathi and Mandla Shongwe who currently trains with Golden Arrows. Winning the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup will not only put this academy on the map, but will also serve as a stepping stone for some of the players like striker Gugu Mathebula. “Otorongo”, as he is affectionately known by his teammates, scored a whopping 19 goals in five games to help his team achieve their current position, and hopes to be spotted by a talent scout.
Thulamahashe Stadium will host the Bushbuckridge regional final clash between Masilela High School, Makhosana Manzini Secondary School, Letshele Secondary School, Mabarhule High School, Masingitane Secondary School, Langa Secondary School, Puledi High School, Tamajane High School, Shoshangane High School, Rakutswe High School, Mahlale High School, Makata High School, Sabie Secondary School, Shobiyane High School and Mashishing High School.
The Gert Sibande region’s teams will stage their finals at the AK Swanepoel sports grounds in Ermelo. Ndlela High School from Piet Retief, Standworth Combined School (Standerton), Setsheng Secondary School (Balfour Park), Ithafa Secondary School (Ermelo), Shebangemehlo Secondary School (Badplaas), Zinigeleni Secondary School (Carolina), Sinethemba Secondary School (Wackersdorf), Lake Christie (Brayton), and K.I Thwala (Secunda) will face each other for a chance to get to the provincial finals. Games will commence at 08:00 at all venues.
Despite the fact that the school has not been particularly strong in development tournaments like the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Cup and is still struggling to make ends meet, they have done well to make a name for themselves. Established in 1998, East high College of Excellence has produced numerous well-known players like Free State Stars central midfielder Bongani Nyathi and Mandla Shongwe who currently trains with Golden Arrows. Winning the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup will not only put this academy on the map, but will also serve as a stepping stone for some of the players like striker Gugu Mathebula. “Otorongo”, as he is affectionately known by his teammates, scored a whopping 19 goals in five games to help his team achieve their current position, and hopes to be spotted by a talent scout.
Thulamahashe Stadium will host the Bushbuckridge regional final clash between Masilela High School, Makhosana Manzini Secondary School, Letshele Secondary School, Mabarhule High School, Masingitane Secondary School, Langa Secondary School, Puledi High School, Tamajane High School, Shoshangane High School, Rakutswe High School, Mahlale High School, Makata High School, Sabie Secondary School, Shobiyane High School and Mashishing High School.
The Gert Sibande region’s teams will stage their finals at the AK Swanepoel sports grounds in Ermelo. Ndlela High School from Piet Retief, Standworth Combined School (Standerton), Setsheng Secondary School (Balfour Park), Ithafa Secondary School (Ermelo), Shebangemehlo Secondary School (Badplaas), Zinigeleni Secondary School (Carolina), Sinethemba Secondary School (Wackersdorf), Lake Christie (Brayton), and K.I Thwala (Secunda) will face each other for a chance to get to the provincial finals. Games will commence at 08:00 at all venues.
The Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup about finding the most promising under-18 talent in the country by playing it out with gruelling level-by-level knock-outs but it also has whopping R1 million prize money worth of legacy project to go with it.
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