FIRST TIME DANONE NATIONS CUP PARTICIPANTS BECOME PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONS

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Keidebees Primary School from the Siyanda Region were crowned the Northern Cape Danone Nations Cup football Provincial champions after beating Kareeville Primary School from Pixley Ka Seme Region 3 – 2 on penalties at the Pabalelo Stadium in Upington last weekend.

This is an excellent achievement for a school that has been following the tournament from the side lines for a number of years not being in a position to participate due to no facilities.  “We never had a football field or kit so could never participate,” said Keidebees Primary School coach, Albert Schalkwyk.  “This year we made an arrangement with the nearby football club, Upington United, for the use of their fields on weekends.  During the week we train on a piece of ground behind the classrooms.”

Schalkwyk singled out 11 year-old team captain, Rolan Issack, as key to the team’s success.  Issack led by example and scoring five goals on the day.  “We have only been playing football for a couple of months and we needed a captain so I asked the team to select one and the choice was Rolan. One of the key reasons for entering the Danone Nations Cup was to give the youngsters match practise and get their confidence up, never did I image we would win,” said an excited Schalkwyk.  .  “Now we are on our way to Gauteng to play in the National Finals which is another first.  Never has any member of the team, or myself for that matter, travelled outside our Region.”

But Schalkwyk admitted his team did not have an easy ride.  "The standard of football was high and the youngsters had to concentrate hard and play their hearts out.  The final went to penalties which we are not used to, but we won in the end and can celebrate – for now.  Next week we start preparing for the National Finals so I will have to step up the training schedule.”

No school from the Northern Cape has won through to the Danone Nations Cup World Finals. Robanyane Primary School represented the Province in the 2011 National Finals finishing in 8^th position.

Keidebees will join Chakaza Primary School (Mpumalanga), Kgwahlele Primary (Limpopo), Atamela Primary (North West),  Bochabela Primary(Free State) and Sinamuva Primary (KZN) in the National Finals.  There are three Provincial Finals still to take place after which all 9 winners will compete to represent South Africa at the World Finals in Warsaw, Poland between 6 – 9 September. 

RESULTS – NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCIAL FINALS

POOL A

 Keidebees Primary School (Siyanda Region)

Moholeng Primary School (Dr John Taole Region)

Dr Izak Van Niekerk Primary School (Namaqualand Region)

Kareeville Primary School (Pixley Ka Seme Region)

Kim-Kgolo Primary School (Francis Baard Region)

RESULTS

Keidebees Primary School 1 vs Moholeng Primary School 0  

Dr Izak Van Niekerk Primary School 1 vs Kareeville Primary School 0

Kim-Kgolo Primary School 0 vs Keidebees Primary School 2

Moholeng Primary School 1 vs Dr Izak Van Niekerk Primary School 0

Kareeville Primary School 3 vs Kim-Kgolo Primary School 4

Keidebees Primary School 2 vs Dr Izak Van Niekerk 0

Moholeng Primry School 1 vs  Kareeville Primary School

Dr Izak Van Niekerk 1 vs Kim-Kgolo Primary School 0

Kareeville Primary School 0 (1) vs Keidebees Primary School 0 (2)

Kim-Kgolo Primary School 0 vs Moholeng Primary School 1

FINAL LOG POSITION

1^{st –} Keidebees Primary School – 10pts

2^nd – Kareeville Primary School – 7 pts

3^rd – Moholeng Primary School – 6 pts

4^th – Dr Izak Van Niekert Primary School – 6 pts

5^th – Kim-Kgolo Primary School – 0 pts

FINAL

Keidebees Primary School 0 (2) vs Kareeville Primary School 0 (0)