KZN HOST DANONE NATIONS CUP PROVINCIAL FINALS.

Twelve primary schools from KwaZulu-Natal will be taking a step closer to fulfilling a dream when they play in the Provincial Finals of the Danone Nations Cup on Saturday, 23 March, 2013.  The teams have already competed in gruelling qualifiers in their respective clusters and regions.  The winner on Saturday will go on to compete in the National Finals with the ultimate winner representing South Africa in the Danone Nations Cup World finals in London later in the year.

 

The Danone Nations Cup is an international competition involving U-12 teams from around the world. Since its inception in 2000, the tournament has touched the lives of over 15 million kids with the key message being to follow a healthy lifestyle and to believe in their dreams. The tournament is built on the fundamental values: enthusiasm, openness, proximity and fair play.

 

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Finals will be played on Saturday at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, Durban. All KwaZulu-Natal regional winners have already been identified and they are: Sipheni Senior Primary School – Amajuba Region; Taylors Primary School – Umgungundlovu Region; Woodford Primary School – Uthukela Region; Emtathe Combined Primary School – Umzinyathi Region; Maqumbi Primary School – Ilembe Region; Uphaphazi Primary School – Umkhanyakude Region; Enkelabantwana Full Service School – Sisonke Region, Inkatha Primary School – Ugu Region, Imizikayipani Primary School – Empangeni Region; Ndongeni Primary School – Umlazi Region, Ensukangihlale CP School – Vryheid Region  and Simphumelele Primary School – Pinetown Region

 

South Africa’s representative at the 2012 Danone Nations Cup World Finals were from KwaZulu-Natal.  Sinamuva Primary School from Pietermaritzburg played in the tournament in Warsaw, Poland. They have not qualified for the provincial playoffs this year.

 

Emtathe Combined Primary School from Sibongile Township will be representing the Umzinyathi region at the Provincial Finals. Their coach, Madoda Ntshingila, says the school first played in the tournament in 2010, and in 2011 they were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the provincial finals. “We hope to do better this time,” he said. “The boys love it because they get to travel, but it is challenging getting the kids to schools that are far away.” 

 

Ntshingila says the team is well prepared and they understand the importance of training and analysing their strength and weaknesses. “We have worked hard to reach this stage of the tournament and I would like them to go out there and enjoy themselves. Deep down, I wish we could win and make it to the national finals, but I will not put pressure on them. It’s about them having fun.” He singles out Mizo Zulu, a defender and striker Kenneth Mabine as his key players.

Siphumelele Primary School, from Ezimangweni Informal settlement, near Kwamashu will represent the Pinetown region at the Provincial Finals. The school was established 10 years ago and this is the first time they are participating in the Danone Nations Cup.   Team manager Emmanuel Mkhize says his players are excited, confident and also nervous. “We didn’t expect to reach the provincial finals on our first attempt. I know we are going to face 11 other teams on Saturday, but for us making it this far shows that we are capable and anything is possible. I believe in my team,” he said. Mkhize says striker Anele Nzamo, and goalkeeper Siyabonga Mkhize will be the players in his team to watch.