With the National Finals of the Danone Nations Cup around the corner, the nine teams that have made it through the qualifying stages of the competition are putting in their final training sessions in preparation for the 9 July. The ultimate prize for the team that wins is a trip to Spain from 5 to 10 October to compete in the Danone Nations Cup World Finals with 39 other countries.
Approximately 2 000 schools registered to compete in the tournament. Knockout competitions have been happening around the country since February and it is now down to just nine school teams, or 126 youngsters, who will be converging on the Eldorado Park Stadium to compete in the National Finals. Games kick-off at 8.30am.
It’s about pride, believes Eric Busakwe. Busakwe is the coach of Phakamisani Primary, the team that won the Western Cape Provincial leg of the 2011 Danone Nations Cup. Phakamisani has taken part in the Danone Nations Cup for the past five years, making it to the National Finals for three consecutive years.
“We were very close to representing South Africa at the World Finals last year,” Busakwe says. “But Sinenzuzo Primary beat us on penalties in the semifinals and we had to swallow our pride. There is only one thing on our minds right now, and that is to come back from Jo’burg as the National champions.”
The 2011 Danone Nations Cup has seen many past winners knocked out of the running to make way for newcomers. 2010 National Champions from KwaZulu-Natal, Sinenzuzo Primary, were knocked out in the early rounds while 2008 and 2009 Champions, Bree Primary, who also were crowned World Champions in 2009, were knocked out in the Gauteng Provincial Finals.
With the top teams not competing, Busakwe believes that Ndongeni Primary from KwaZulu Natal will be the team to beat.
“The KwaZulu-Natal teams always give us a headache,” Busakwe explains. “They have a style of play that is very similar to our on-the-ground attacking style. But we have a plan on how to deal with them this time around - they won’t surprise us like they did last year. We are going to Spain this year, period.”
11 year old striker, Tebogo Mosetlhe, from the host school, Sapebuso Primary, will be in action on Saturday: “We played very well in the Provincials beating experienced teams such as Bree Primary and that has given us confidence to do well in the National Finals. Our school principal and all the teachers will be there as well to give us moral support so I am very excited for Saturday.” Mosetlhe would like to be in Spain and has identified shaking hands with Danone Nations Cup Ambassador, Zinedine Zindane, as the highlight of his trip – if he is a member of the lucky team that wins!
Sponsors Danone, together with partners Canon, will be erecting an Activity area for kids at the stadium which will include skills games, jumping castles, face painting, Canon photographers will be taking random pictures which the kids can take home immediately and many more.
“By bringing healthy food and some good healthy fun together, children learn about life through a shared experience. And to those who get to the world finals, it is an experience that will undoubtedly become a cherished memory,” explains Sandra Dorville, Communications Manager of Danone Southern Africa. “The experience of interacting with teams from other cultures and places in the world while playing the beautiful game gives the international leg of the Danone Nations Cup the feeling of a real world cup, but only for under-12’s.”
Gauteng fans are invited to join in the action of the National Final at Eldorado Park Stadium in Johannesburg on 9 July 2011 to see who will be going to the World Finals. The teams that will be battling it out for the top spot are Kgwahlele Primary (Limpopo), Nosizwe Primary (North West), Mhlahle Primary (Mpumalanga), Ndongeni Primary (KwaZulu-Natal), Robanyane Primary (Northern Cape), Backerville Primary (Eastern Cape), Phakamisani Primary (Western Cape) and Sapebuso Primary (Gauteng). ENTRANCE FREE!
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