Seisa Dukashe Stadium in East London hosted the Eastern Cape leg of the Danone Nations Cup Provincial Finals, which saw Barkerville Primary School from the Alfred Nzo, beating Nkunzimbini from the O R Tambo Region, 4 – 0 to lift the trophy and become the 2011 Eastern Cape champions for the second time in three years.
The hero of the day was 10 year old attacking striker Slindile Jaane who scored a brace which helped his team emerge victorious. Their next challenge will be the National Finals happening at the Eldoradopark Stadium in Gauteng on 9 July.
If Bakerville win the National finals they will be the first Eastern Cape team to represent South Africa in the Danone Nations Cup World Finals which take place in Spain from 5 – 10 October.
But for many of the Bakerville youngsters just the trip to the City of Gold to play in the Nations finals is an exciting prospect and youngster, Qamane Mandlevo, who has never owned a pair of boots, is one such player. This youngster is the team’s top goal scorer after netting 13 goals in just eight matches.
“Coach has told us that if we win in Gauteng we will travel by airplane to meet Zinedine Zidane in Spain which has made me even more determined to score more goals at the National finals,” says the 11 year old striker, Jaane.
Currently Jaane plays all his football on a pitch without grass and his dream is to become a player like his idol, Andile Jali currently with Orlando Pirates. Jali originates from the Eastern Cape.
Bakerville coach, Mpilo Changa has full confidence in his team and has singled out striker Slindile Jaane and team captain Sakhuxolo Ntsikilana as his key players. “We have worked really hard this season. At some point I thought we were going to be knocked out at the lowers level as most of my players are from disadvantaged backgrounds and it is not always possible for them to travel to attend games and practice sessions so our training has been inconsistent. In fact I had to pay for transport for the kids to practice sessions, but this was never a problem as each and every player has a passion for the sport and a dream to go far. I could not disappoint them.”
Barkerville is the seventh team to qualify for the 2011 National Finals after Nosizwe primary of the North West, Mhlahle from Mpumalanga, Robanyane primary of the Northern Cape, Mofulatshepe from Free State, Ndogeni Primary from KwaZulu – Natal and Kgwahlele from the Limpopo Province.
The overall winner in the National Championships will realize the dream of enjoying the Danone Nations Cup experience at an international final from 5 – 10 October, where they will not only compete for the world title but will have the opportunity to share with other young soccer lovers from across the globe, meet an international soccer icon Zinedine Zidane and most importantly have fun!
RESULTS – NORTH WEST PROVINCIAL FINALS
POOL - A
TEAM 1 – MZIMKHULU PRIMARY SCHOOL
TEAM 2 – ZANOXOLO PRIMARY SCHOOL
TEAM 3 – NKUNZIMBINI PRIMARY SCHOOL
TEAM 4 – CHARLES MORGAN PRIMARY SCHOOL
POOL - A
TEAM 1 – EMPUMELELWENI PRIMARY SCHOOL
TEAM 2 – BARKERVILLE PRIMARY SCHOOL
Mzimkhulu Primary 0 vs Zanoxolo Primary 3
Nkuzimbini Primary 1 (4) vs Charles Morgan Primary 1 (5)
Empumelelweni Primary 1 (2) vs Bakerville Primary 1 (3)
Mzimkhulu Primary 0 vs Nkuzimbini Primary 3
Zanoxolo Primary 1 vs Charles Morgan Primary 0
Barkerville Primary 3 vs Vusumzi Primary 0
Charles Morgan Primary 3 vs Mzimkhulu Primary 0
Ntunzimbini Primary 2 vs Zanoxolo Primary 0
Vusumzi Primary 1 vs Empumelelweni 3
FINAL LOG POSTION
POOL A: 1st – Ntuzimbini Primary, 2nd – Zanoxolo Primary, 3rd – Charles Morgan Primary, 4th – Mzimkhulu Primary.
POOL B: 1st – Barkerville Primary, 2nd – Empumelelweni Primary 3nd - Vusumzi Primary,
FINAL
Nkunzimbini Primary 0 vs Barkerville Primary 4
WINNER DANONE NATIONS CUP – EASTERN CAPE 2011 – Barkerville Primary School
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