Eastern Cape Schools benefit from Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup Experience

Executive Academy School and Ndamase Senior Secondary School represented the Eastern Cape at the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup national finals in Durban, finishing the tournament in 12^th and 14^th positions respectively. Vuyisa Yolwa, team manager of Ndamase, says that although they were disappointed not to have come close to the semis or the final, they learnt an incredible amount from the experience which will benefit his players, and change the way in which they approach the sport.

“Firstly,  ninety percent of the team was playing in this tournament for the first time and will still be there next year so with the lessons we learnt we will go back to the drawing board and prepare for next year and hopefully do much better,” he said.

Yolwa was very impressed with the eventual winners, Clapham High School. “They were so tactically and technically astute. The team is organised they attack and defend together as a team. That’s what we need to start implementing in our side,” he said.

The Ndamase boys were very nervous when they had to play their first game against Benny’s Sports, Yolwa says, and they lost 9-0. “I was watching from the stands and could see that the team wasn’t listening to the coach and following his instructions and it showed blatantly on the field. In our second game, although we lost, our defenders were tight and strong, we didn’t leave any room for the opposition to score more goal than the one they scored. Where we were lacking was in our strike force. We need to focus on this if we want to improve. We scored no goals in the first 2 days which is not good at all. Further, the players need to unite and play as a team as opposed to individuals.  I saw a lot from other teams and will look at this going forward.”

Yolwa says the level of football at the tournament is excellent. “The fact that some of the schools are academies made the tournament interesting and challenging.”  Ndamase admits his school was at a disadvantage because their coach, Ndoyisile Poswa, is a local lawyer who volunteered to coach the team. “He has no qualifications and does this for the love of the game. He helps us a lot, even purchasing 2 balls that are now used for the entire school.  He also pays for the transport when our team competes in away games,” Yolwas explained.

Ndamase School does not have a soccer field, but train and practise in the school yard. They don’t have goal posts and make goals from any materials they can find lying around.  “We will continue to play in this tournament and hopefully the lessons we learnt from the academy schools will help us win the provincial finals next year. The boys are fully aware of the prize money on offer and the difference it can make to the school,” Yolwa said.

“We really appreciated being in the national finals and playing against such strong teams. It will help our entire village as we will go back and show every school what we learnt.

RESULTS: DAY 1 (24 September 2013)

Sibongumusa 0 vs Executive Academy 1, Goal: Sive Klaushe

Ndamase 0 vs Benny’s Care 9. Goals: Matuka Kabota (2), Khuliso Mudau, Eethe Khaukanani (3), Lfentswe Mungadziwa, Alton Lesedi, own goal

Cloetesville 4 vs Executive Academy 1. Goals: Cloetesville: Antonio Lewis (2), Curvin Williams, Jason Clayton (captain). Executive Academy: A: Zolani Malahla

Ndamase 0 vs Eric Nxumalo 1. Goal: Fumani Mathebula

Welabasha 0 vs Executive Academy 1. Goal: Siphiwe Giften

RESULTS: DAY 2 (25 September 2013)

Okiep 1 vs Ndamase 0. Goal: Duncan Vd Heever

Executive Academy 1 vs Rosina Sedibane 1. Goals: Executive Academy: Zolani Malahla; Rosina Sedibane: Skhumbuzo Mazibuko

East High 6 v Ndamase 0. Goals: Muzi Thabotha (2), Siyabonga Sibiya (3), Bojosi Manjoe

Executive Academy 0 v Mondale 2. Goals: Dillan Fransch (2)

Louis Botha 6 v Ndamase 0. Goals: Boipelo Segwaba (4), Ernest Mabathoana, Phatsimo Litseho

RESULTS: DAY 3 (26 September 2013)

Pos 9 – 12: Eric Nxumalo 2 vs Executive Academy 0. Goals: Funani Mathabela, Sydney Moyane

Pos 13 – 16: Sebetwane 1 vs Ndamase 1. Ndamase won 3 – 2 on penalties. Goals: Sebetwane: Tshepiso Lobelo. Ndamase: Ayakha Stamp

Pos 11 – 12: Rietvale 1 vs Executive Academy 1. Rietvale won 4 – 2 on penalties. Goals: Rietvlei: Angelo Van Rooi, Executive Academy: Bonga Klaushe

Pos 13 – 14: FK Tjiane 1 vs Ndamase 0. Goal: Dumisani Shongwe