LEHLASEDI HIGH SCHOOL ARE THE MPUMALANGA PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONS IN THE UNDER-15 COPA COCA-COLA

Lehlasedi High School from Shatale Township, near Bushbuck Ridge in the Bohlabela Region are the Mpumalanga provincial champions in the under-15 COPA Coca-Cola football tournament.

They beat Tikhontele High School in a penalty shootout in the finals, played in Nelspruit last Saturday, and now will represent Mpumalanga in the National Finals in Johannesburg in July.

Lehlasedi High School has been participating in COPA Coca-Cola since 2000 and this is the first time they made it through to the National Finals.  The team is coached by Aubrey Molele, an experienced coach who was with Second Division Club, Two For Joy, from 2000 to 2002.  .

Molele is very proud of his team’s achievement. “Most of the players are from surrounding rural areas and walk up to 7km a day to get to school.  This, I believe, contributed to their fitness and ability to sustain peak performance throughout the day.”

“But competing in the National Final is not going to be easy,” said Molele.  “My players are very talented but we have to work on our ball control and passing skills if we want to finish within the first three.”

Defender Theo Lekhuleli is Lehlasedi’s key player.  “After so many years competing in COPA Coca-Cola I am so pleased to be part of the team that has put us into the National Finals for the first time.  What also excites me is to get the opportunity to play against other teams from around the county as that will help us all learn a lot in terms of different styles of play and it will give me a chance to showcase my talent nationwide.”

MPUMALANGA RESULTS

Schools participating:

Tikhontele High School (Ehlanzeni Region); Nansindlela Combined School (Nkangala Region); Lindile High School (Gert Sibande  Region); Lehlasedi High School (Bohlabelo Region).

Tikhontele High School 3 vs Lindile High School 1

Lehlasedi High School 2 vs Nansindlela Combined School 0

SEMIFINAL

Lindile High school 2 vs  Nansindlela Combined School 1

FINAL

Lehlasedi High School 1 vs  Tikhontele High School 1 (Lehlasedi won 5-4 on penalties.)

Lehlasedi High School now join Robinvale High School from Western Cape, Masibonisane High School from KwaZulu-Natal, Kabelo Secondary School from Limpopo, Are-Fadimeheng Secondary School from North West and Johannesburg Secondary School from Gauteng in the race for the COPA Coca-Cola National crown. The other provinces are still to select their representatives.