Clapham, assisted by Sundowns and the Sono Family, make waves at the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup National finals

The school that has made the biggest impression on the first day of the U-19 Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools cup, happening at the King Zwelithini Stadium, Umlazi, Durban, is Clapham College from Pretoria.  The school, that educates the youngsters from the Mamelodi Sundowns Football Academy, won their first game against FK Tijiane from Limpopo 9 – 1, then 6 - 0 against Rietvale from the Northern Cape ending the day with a 1 – 0 win against Freedom Park to top Group B.

Besides the support of Mamelodi Sundowns, the team is coached by Rhulani Mokwena,  an ex professional footballer who played for his uncle, Jomo Sono.   “My father, Julia KK Sono, was a renowned footballer for Orlando Pirates and Jomo Cosmos and between him and Jomo they have played a major role in the way I approach the game,  which I am now passing on to these youngsters.”

He admits that the success on the first day does not mean they have won the tournament.  “I am pleased with the team’s performance, but we need to improve in every game and in this way we will continue to get results. There was no easy game today and by the third game we were tired.  The boys will rest and go back into action tomorrow, playing every game as a final.”

On the same points as Clapham in Group B is Harmony from Virginia in the Free State.  Clapham topped the group on goal difference, 16 as opposed to 12.

Cloetesville from the Western Cape were leading Group A but lost to Rosina Sedibane from Gauteng to place them second. 

Group C sees East High from Mpumalanga ahead with Benny’s Sports Academy in second place, despite their 9 – 0 win over Ndamase from the Eastern Cape.

The final league games will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, with the final play-offs on Thursday culminating with the third/fourth play-off at 10am on Friday followed by performances by Naima Kay, Professor and Big Nuz and then the final game.

RESULTS:  DAY 1 (24 September 2013)

1.            Welabasha 0   vs  Cloetesville 1

                Goal:  Regan Rhode

2.            Sibongumusa 0 vs Executive Academy 1

                Goal:  Sive Klaushe

3.            Rosina Sedibane   1 v Mondale 0

                Goal:  Thabo Mile

4.            Rietvale  0 vs Harmony 3

                Goals:  Tsheo Mogorosi (2), Reginald Tsoela

5.            Freedom Park 0 vs Sebetwane 0

6.            FK Tijiane 1 vs Clapham 9

                Goal:  FK:  Dumisane Shongwe (captain)

7.            Louis Botha 2 vs   Okiep 0

                Goals:  Charlie Hlalele (2)

8.            Eric Nxumalo 1 vs East High 2

                Goals:  EN:  Fumani Mathabela

                EH: Siyabonga Sibiya, Muzi Thabatha

9.            Ndamase 0  vs Benny’s Care 9

Goals:  Matuka Kabota (2), Khuliso Mudau, Eethe Khaukanani (3), Lfentswe Mungadziwa, Alton Lesedi, own goal

10.          Mondale 2 vs Welabasha 1

                Goals:  M: Gavin Saayman, Dillan Fransch

                W: Siyabonga Mkhize

11.          Rosina Sedibane   1 vs  Sibongumusa 0

                Goal:  Motsiri Moshoma

12.          Cloetesville 4 vs Executive Academy 1

                Goals:  CL:  Antonio Lewis (2), Curvin  Williams, Jason Clayton (captain)

                EA: Zolani <Malahla

13.          Clapham 6 vs Rietvale 0

                Goals:  Percy Tau (2), Khayelihle Shozi (3), Motoro Monyai

14.          FK Tijiane 0 vs  Freedom park 0

15.          Harmony 3 vs Sebetwane 0

                Goals:  Mpho Moepetsane, Abram Morake, Tshepiso Lobelo

16.          Benny’s Care 1 vs  Louis Botha 1

                Goals:  LB: Freddie Hlalele

                BC:  Khuliso Mudau

17.          Ndamase 0 vs Eric Nxumalo 1

                Goal:  Fumani Mathebula

18.          Okiep 0 vs East High 3

                Goals: EH:  Muzi Thabotha, Moffat Nkuna, Thembumenzi Ngomane

19.          Welabasha 0 vs  Executive Academy 1

                Goal:  Siphiwe Giften

20.          Cloetesville 0 vs Rosina Sedibane 1

                Goals:  Sifiso Nkosi

21.          Mondale 2 vs Sibongumusa 0

                Goals:  Adrian Jaftha, Ricardo Vorster

22.          Rietvale  1 vs Sebetwane 1

                Goals:  Riet:  Angelo Van Rooi

                Seb: Itumeleng Mosikare

23.          Harmony 6 vs FK Tijiane 0

                Goals:  Tiisetso Noosi, Molelekoa Motaung (2), Reginald Tsoela, Buti Mokele, Mpho Mosoang

24.          Freedom Park 0 vs Clapham 1

                Own goal

About the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup:

·       The tournament is run under the auspices of the South Africa Football Association (SASFA)

   Named after prominent businessman Patrice Motsepe’s late mother, the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup offers the biggest prize money at school level in Africa (R3.4 million in total). 

·       The sponsors are:  Sanlam, the Motsepe Foundation and the Sanlam Ubuntu-Botho Community Development Trust.

·       The primary objective of the tournament is to revive the culture of school football amongst students between the age of 16 and 19 years old.

·       The tournament also gives players the opportunity to showcase their skills to soccer scouts with the talented players being recruited into development structures to be nurtured and shaped into professional players.