MPUMALANGA SCHOOL WINS R100 000 AND IS A STEP CLOSER TO WINNING THE R1 MILLION

East High College of Excellence and Lindile Secondary School will represent Mpumalanga Province in the 2012 Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup National Finals in Bloemfontein from October 2 to 6.

In accordance to the rules of the game, both teams that reach the provincial finals go on to the nationals and East High beat Lindile 3-2 in the Mpumalanga provincial Final that took place in Witbank this past weekend. As provincial champions, East High College receives R100 000 in prize money to be used to fund legacy projects that will benefit the school and the community for years to come.

East High College of Excellence is attached to an Academy in Nelspruit and has been operating since 2010. Of the 60 players in the Academy, 20 played in the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup this year. Of those, four played in the competition last year.

The school has played in five Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup tournaments reaching the provincial finals twice but were knocked out in the semifinals last year.  Coach Bhuti Petros Ndhlovu has been in charge of the team since 2008 and says he is satisfied with the team’s performance as they stick to the game plan which was to keep it simple. “There is no time for fancy and entertaining football at cup games because the aim is to win and go to the next stage,” he said.

Ndlovu says he is grateful to the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup for the contribution they are making to the school. “With the prize money we will have our field renovated and buy quality boots for the players,” he said.

Ndlovu believes his goalkeeper, Ludick Mkhatshwa as well as captain and midfielder Lebohang Maphanga and other midfielder,  Thabang Klaaf will be key players at the National finals.“Lebohang is great leader and a good team motivator. He was part of the team that played in the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup last year and he plays in the Second Division League for Phiva Young Stars,” Ndhlovu adds.

Maphanga will be playing his best at the National Finals.  “My dream is to play in a PSL Club and I know that there will be many scouts at the National Finals, particularly Mamelodi Sundowns.”

Sanlam Sky Solutions Branch Manager in Witbank, Daniel Thabo Phiri says: “Sanlam understands the value of development and the opportunity it gives youngsters to achieve what they hope for. We believe that the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup creates opportunities that have a positive impact on the youth, and provides exposure to scouts for talented players.

RESULTS

SEMI - FINALS

East High College of Excellence 1 VS Soshangana Secondary School 0

Lindile Secondary School 2 vs Zachelus Malaza Secondary School 1

3^rd & 4^th PLACE

Zachelus Malaza Secondary School 3 VS Soshangana Secondary School 2

Final

East High College of Excellence 3  Lindile Secondary School 2