The
dream of many aspiring Under12 footballers in Limpopo will become a reality on
Saturday, 21 April, when they participate in the Danone Nations Cup Provincial
finals taking place at the Seshego Stadium in Polokwane.
From the dusty streets of
Haluvhimbi village, Vukosi Makhubela will be among those chasing the Provincial
title. The 11 year old aspiring footballer will captain
his team, Masikhwa Primary School, this weekend with the hope of making it to
the National finals. Makhubela says his dream is to get to Poland, but realises
that the road is still a long one – but points out it is getting closer!
“I only started playing football two years
ago and my first taste of the real game was playing in the Danone Nations Cup
last year. Although we lost in the Regional finals, I carried those memorable
moments with me. When our coach made me captain earlier this year my first
question was ‘when are we playing the Danone Nations Cup?” said Makhubela.
As the majority of his team will be playing in a
tournament for the first time, Coach Thomas Tshivhase believes Makhubela’s experience
will help. “Vukosi Makhubela is my key midfielder. He is a vibrant personality with good
leadership skills and has fast pace which, when all combined, will motivate the
rest of the team to do well. He will play a vital role that could well put Masikhwa
Primary in a winning position.”
Reigning champions, Kgwahlele Primary School from Waterberg
region and 3 other teams: Nwasorini Primary School from (Mopani Region),
Monyebodi Primary School (Capricorn region) and Mokgabodi Primary (Sekhukhune
Region) will also be in action.
Kgwahlele finished 6th in last year’s
National finals and should they manage to beat their counterparts this weekend,
this could be a chance for the school to put on a better performance.
“Reaching the Provincial means
we have achieved one of our most important goals for this year,” said Kgwahlele
coach, Ernest Kekana. “We would like to
make history by becoming the second team in Limpopo to reach the National
finals in two consecutive years.”
Meanwhile
Atamela Primary School from Dr Kenneth Kaunda Region were crowned the North
West Danone Nations Cup Provincial Champions for the second successive after
beating Ebetsanang Primary School from
Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati 1-0 on a thrilling encounter this past weekend at
Ikageng Stadium.
“I
am very happy and excited to have qualified for the National Finals again.” said
Coach Jonas Morapedi. “I must compliment Tshepang Marera on the brilliant goal
he scored and the commitment shown by our players. We are now on the road back to Gauteng, where
my players will also get a platform to be recognised and hopefully be scouted
and be part of our country’s PSL teams.” added the proud coach.
First
time participants Tlaseng Primary school which had 10 players from the PSL
Platinum Stars academy could not make it to the final stage, however the team vow
to put more effort in the next year’s Danone Nations Cup preparations..
The
team that will represent South Africa in the 2012 World Finals taking place in
Poland later this year will be decided during the Danone Nations Cup National
Finals to be held at Central Ground, Mamelodi on the 23rd June.
RESULTS – NORTH WEST
PROVINCIAL FINALS
EBETSANANG
PRIMARY SCHOOL (Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Region)
TLASENG PRIMARY SCHOOL (Bojanala Region)
ATAMELA PRIMARY SCHOOL (Dr Kenneth
Kaunda Region)
BOSUGAKOBO PRIMARY SCHOOL (Ngaka
Modiri Molema Region)
Ebetsanang Primary School 1 vs
Tlaseng Primary School 0
Atamela Primary School 2 vs
Bosugakobo Primary Schol 0
Atamela Primary School 1 vs
Ebetsanang Primary School 2
Tlaseng Primary School 2 vs
Bosugakobo Primary School 0
Bosugakobo Primary School 0(3) vs
Ebetsanang Primary School 0(1)
Tlaseng Primary School 0 vs Atamela
Primary School 2
FINAL LOG POSITION
1st – Ebetsanang Primary
School – 7 pts
2nd – Atamela Primary
School – 6 pts
3rd – Tlaseng Primary
School – 3 pts
4th – Bosugakobo Primary
School – 1 pts
FINAL
Ebetsanang Primary School 0 vs
Atamela Primary School 1
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