NORTHERN CAPE FARE WELL AT COPA COCA-COLA FOOTBALL NATIONAL FINALS

The Northern Cape is traditionally known as a rugby playing province, but judging by the display of skills seen at the under-15 COPA Coca-Cola football National Finals, currently underway in Soweto, football could well knock the sport off its pedestal.

Coach, Chris Samuels, from Steinkopf, the school representing the Northern Cape, is happy with his team’s performance in the tournament.  “We battled a bit on the first day as my boys were tired from the trip, but today has been different. My midfield is proving to be my key strength, particularly my captain and left wing, Reagan Visagie. He joined the school at the beginning of the year and was made captain based on his humbleness.  Further, he has a dangerous left foot which has frustrated our opponents today.”

Samuels said he was surprised to have made it to the national finals, thanks to his striker and ex Cape Town player, Reagan De Vos who scored the winning goal in the provincial final. 

Meanwhile Johannesburg Secondary School continued on their winning ways.  The team of Orlando Pirates development players ended the League with 11 goals from 4 games.  They lost their final game against Lehlasedi from Mpumalanga 1 – 0.  “My task tonight is to motivate my players and get them to realise that success also means losing games sometimes and we must just go out there, lift our heads and play like we have never played before,” said coach, Mandla Qhogi.

Lebo Matakanya, the tournament crowd favourite due to his expertise in producing shibobo’s and tsamaya’s said after the team’s defeat.    “We beat Lehlasedi yesterday and it was clear that they did their homework to come back and beat us today.  But I believe we were the better team but we just missed our chances and they capitalised on our mistakes.

Games resume tomorrow, Saturday, at 09:00 am. 

Semi – Final 1

Bodikela High School  vs Lehlasedi  High School

Semi – Final 2

Johannesburg Secondary School vs Robinvale Secondary School

RESULTS FROM DAY 2

Arefadimeng  3 vs Robinvale 3

GOALS:

 ARE:  Thabo Mofokeng, Zamile Ntsume (2)

ROB:  Ashton Fortuin (3)

Masibonisane 2  vs Bodikela 0

GOALS:  Siyabonga Ntombela (2)

Johannesburg 5  SS vs Steinkopf 0

GOALS: 

Thula Thabethe (4), Sizwe Thwala

Bodikela 0 vs Robinvale 2

GOALS: 

Vuyolomzi Mfiki, Ashton Fortuin

Masibonisane  1 vs Arefadimeng 1

GOALS:

MAS:  Phiwayinkosi Lukhele

ARE:  Phakamani Koni

Lehlasedi 2 vs Steinkopf  0

GOALS: Taetso Nyalungu, Mohau Mogane

Masibonisane 1 vs Robinvale 1

GOALS:

MAS:  Thabani Mnguni

ROB:  Timothy Arendse

Arefadimeng 0 vs Bodikela  6

GOALS:

Tokelo Mofokeng (2) Teboho Mokoena (4)

Johannesburg 0 vs Lehlasedi 1