Mamelodi Sundowns coaches work with top Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup players

It’s been an amazing start to the week for the young soccer players attending the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup elite training camp at Mamelodi Sundowns this week where, among other things, they have been put through their paces by Enrique Diaz, a coach from the Johan Cruyff Institute based in Spain.

Mamelodi Sundowns have an arrangement with the institute, who provide coaches to assist with technical matters at the club and Diaz is one of them. He was been at Sundowns for three years now. Diaz, who has a Level 3 coaching qualification in Spain - the highest level you can get – was a former FC Barcelona development coach.

The boys arrived in camp last Friday and had their first training sessions on Saturday and Sunday. Diaz said he was immediately impressed by their organisation on the field.

“It was better than I expected,” he said. “The players know the rules of the game and the basics and they all have the skills. They were very shy at first and it took a couple of days for the players to settle in, but by Monday they were more confident.”

The players were selected by a group of scouts that attended the provincial finals and the players were reassessed at the national finals with the final selection made based on consistency.  The aim of the camp is to help the players with talent take their football to a different level and give them a taste of what professional football is all about. 

Based on the first couple of training sessions what the coaches have noticed is that many of the players have picked up bad habits and the challenge is to see how quickly they can eliminate those. 

“We have an excellent development academy with brilliant players here at Sundowns,” Diaz said. “And the standards are very high.   Any new players that come into our system will be evaluated on how quickly they adapt to the Sundowns style of play.”

Diaz believes that South Africa has extraordinarily skilled players, but the problem is that players do not put enough effort into their game. “Once they have been selected to play in a professional team the players seem to lose the hunger,” he said. “Off the pitch the players need to be more focused. They need to understand the importance of school work, discipline and sacrifice. To be a professional a player attention needs to be paid to all aspects of their lives.”

On Wednesday the squad will play a game against the Sundowns First team players that will not be involved in the league game that night, and on Friday they will come up against a team from the African All Stars Academy.

Mamelodi Sundowns host training camp for top U19 Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup players from 2014

The Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup national finals were held in Soshanguve last month and the players in action were closely observed by scouts from Mamelodi Sundowns who, in the end chose the 24 most talented individuals on view and invited them to attend a training camp at the club’s Chloorkop headquarters between the 28th November and the 5th December.

It’s going to be an exciting time for the youngsters, and an opportunity for them to show that they are ready to step up into the professional ranks.

Siyabonga Masinga, a 19 year-old central mid-fielder who is in grade 11 at Tholokuhle High School in Richards Bay, is one of those selected and sees this as a great opportunity, one that not everyone has been given and he said he is grateful that he was selected.

“I have never attended trials or a camp before so this is a first for me.  I knew that scouts would be at the nationals and selecting a squad to attend trials so, prior to leaving KZN, I decided that my primary goal was to be selected for this camp and I put in 110 percent effort in every game I played and it has paid off,” said Siyabonga

 “I was really excited when the Sundowns scout, Mr Mdletshe, called my team manager and asked if I would be interested in coming through and I agreed on the spot.  It’s every players dream to be invited to attend a camp that is hosted by a professional team especially when it’s Mamelodi Sundowns. The team is known to produce great players, I want to be associated with that team.”

Only 4 players from Tholokuhle were selected for the training camp and they are all looking forward to learning new tactics and techniques at the camp. “As a player you need to always develop your skills and I think that’s what they will be teaching us during the camp,” said Siyabonga. “At the end of it all I will be selected to be part of their Youth Academy, it would be an honour to be a part of Sundowns. I know that their players get the best of everything in terms of training and nutrition, which are key in a player’s development.”

For Siyabonga, Themba Zwane is his favourite Sundowns player. “He is an incredible player, I would one day love to play just like him,” he said. “If we do get an opportunity to interact with the first team I would definitely want to speak to him and pick his brain a little.”

After being knocked out in the cluster stages of the tournament for years, making it to the final game at the nationals was a major achievement for the team.  “We beat schools that have been participating in this tournament for years,” Siyabonga said. “It’s unfortunate that we lost the final game to Holy Trinity High School.  I guess that some of the players got nervous when they learnt that we will be playing against players that compete for the Supersport United Academy.

“But we are thankful that we reached the finals, it was never something that we were expecting since we started in the tournament. Even though we didn’t win, we now have the experience to better prepare for next year.”

“We came as underdogs in this tournament and ended up being 2nd in the rankings. We tried our best and next year will be an even greater year for the school.”

NAME PROVINCE SCHOOL
Lucky Monyane Limpopo Benny's Sports Development
Ernest Monyadziwa Limpopo Benny's Sports Development
Trevor Kutu Free State Harmony High School
Mpho Phalakasane Free State Harmony High School
Victor Noosi (attended the 2013 camp) Free State Harmony High School
Sibusiso Sibandana Mpumalanga St Marks  International School
Xolanni Ndlovu Mpumalanga St Marks International School
Mzwakhe Mncwango KZN Tholokuhle High School
Siyabonga Masinga KZN Tholokuhle School
Nkanyiso Zungu KZN Umqhele High School
Gilbert Motlokolo Free State Harmony High School
Dillan Fransch Western Cape Mondale High School
Clint Herwell Western Cape Mondale High School
Thabang Chiloane Limpopo Benny's Sports Development
Vusi Mnguni Free State Harmony High School
Tebogo Mokoena Free State Harmony High School
Hemaxzwi Mtshidzi Limpopo Benny's Sports Development
Thabani Mnguni KZN Umqhele High School
Lwazi Mtshali KZN Tholokuhle High School
Denovan April Northern Cape Kakamas
Denovan V Ryn Northern Cape Kakamas
Damyn Smith Northern Cape Kakamas
Jay Cee Meyers Northern Cape Hope Town
Thathani Nkosi KZN Tholokuhle High School

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.

Vodacom powers up subscribers to be South Africa’s next millionaire

This summer Vodacom is bringing the power to its subscribers as one lucky South African stand the chance to be a millionaire as Vodacom will be handing over one million Rand to one lucky subscriber at the legendary Soweto Derby.

This will be the first millionaire drawn from the Vodacom 20x More Summer campaign and is one of the many prizes available to subscribers over the duration of the campaign.

In celebrating 20 years of empowering South Africans, Vodacom are giving customers the best Summer in 20 years.  As part of the 20x More Summer campaign the telecoms giant will be giving customers 400 million gifts in the form of airtime, data, fashion and food vouchers, amongst a number of other prizes and experiences.

 “This is just one of the ways in which we as Vodacom are rewarding our customers for their loyalty. This is a particularly significant year for South Africa and we as Vodacom want to celebrate the journey that we have travelled with South Africans over the past 20 years,” said Bronson Mokabela, Executive Head: Sponsorship and Regional Marketing.

The closing date for all entries for a chance to become the country’s latest millionaire will be at midnight on 27 November with the first winner being announced at the biggest sporting event on the South African sporting calendar, the Soweto Derby taking place on 6 December.

To stand a chance to be South Africa’s next millionaire, simply recharge for R12 or more or buy a Summer bundle - and you will automatically be entered into the competition.

Brazilian great, Cafu, to attend the Danone Nations Cup World Finals.

The 32 under-12 soccer teams that will be playing in the Danone Nations Cup world finals in Sao Paulo, Brazil between the 14^th and 16^th November are in for a treat. Groupe Danone has announced that Marcos Evangelista de Morais, better known as Cafu, will be at the finals to watch the boys and give them valuable advice.

The most capped player in Brazilian History, Cafu, has been involved with the Danone Nations Cup as ambassador for Brazil for many years and having him at the final will add value to the experience for the 384 players. 

Groupe Danone understands the key role that past and current great footballers have in influencing the way the youth tackle the game, and therefore encourage every country that competes in the tournament to appoint an ambassador.  It is these great players that encourage the youth to strive for excellence, show tenacity, play fair and most importantly to love the game and have fun. 

Zinadine Zidane still plays a critical role as one of the ambassadors and Cafu will admirably fill this role as an additional international ambassador in Brazil this year.

Cafu played for São Paulo, Roma and Milan. He is regarded to be one of the greatest fullbacks ever to grace the Italian Serie A. In 1994, he was named South American Footballer of the Year, and in 2004, he was named by Pelé one of the 125 Greatest Living Footballers at a FIFA Awards ceremony.

He played 142 times for Brazil, including a record 21 World Cup games. He also holds the record of winning the most matches in World Cups – 15. He retired from football in 2008.

Siphumelele Primary School of Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal will be the South African representatives in Sao Paulo after they won the South African Danone Nations Cup title. Travelling overseas and meeting players from all around the world will be an amazing experience for them.

Meeting and interacting with Cafu, one of the true legends of the game, is going to be another highlight of a week that is going to change the lives of the young players forever.

ends

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About Danone

Danone Southern Africa is part of the Danone Group, one of the fastest-growing food companies in the world.  Danone is present in over 120 countries across all continents. With 160 plants and around 100,000 employees, the Danone Group is the number one worldwide for Fresh Dairy Products. Danone’s mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible.

One of the core values of the Danone Nations Cup tournament is to encourage young people to believe in their dreams. Through this initiative Danone offers a sporting event that reaches out to and inspires millions of children all over the world

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Powerade awards five schools with an individual cricket training sessions hosted by ex-Proteas coach Ray Jennings

This past week saw Powerade announce the names of the five South African schools who have won cricket Powerade Performance Sessions as part of the Powerade Schools Programme. The Performance sessions will be taking place from Thursday, 23 October, to Tuesday, 4 November, and will be hosted by ex-Proteas coach, Ray Jennings

Powerade believes that there is power in every game and is committed to providing young South African sportsmen with a passion for rugby, soccer and cricket, with the platforms to achieve sporting success by giving them access to the best coaching and training through the Powerade School’s Programme.

The winning schools of the cricket Powerade Performance Sessions are:

•           23 October Hoërskool Oosterland – Secunda (Mpumalanga)

•           24 October Hoërskool Wonderboom – Pretoria (Gauteng)

•           28 October General Smuts High School – Vereeniging (Gauteng)

•           30 October Creston College – Port Shepstone (KwaZulu-Natal)

•           4 November Wynberg Boys High School – Cape Town (Western Cape)

During the cricket performance sessions, these sportsmen will be exposed to the science of correct training and the benefits of hydration to help enable them to reach peak fitness at the right time, while local cricket legend Ray Jennings shares his wisdom and knowledge about the game.

“Powerade believes that by providing informative and interactive experiences like these to sportsmen, their passion for the game of cricket will be focused on a great future in the game,” explained James Maclachlan, IMC Marketing Assets Manager of Coca-Cola South Africa.

“We recognise that there is power in every game and through the Powerade Schools Programme, born sportsmen will be exposed to information and various means of training that will have long term benefits to their success,” Maclachlan concluded.

Ends. 

About The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands.  Led by Coca-Cola, one of the world's most valuable and recognizable brands, our Company's portfolio features 16 billion-dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Georgia and Del Valle.  Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees, and juices and juice drinks.  Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy our beverages at a rate of 1.9 billion servings a day.  With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused
on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate.  Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world's top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system associates.  For more information, visit Coca-Cola Journey at www.coca-colacompany.com, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo, visit our blog, Coca-Cola Unbottled, at www.coca-colablog.com or find us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/the-coca-cola-company.

About Powerade

Powerade is a brand of The Coca-Cola Company, and is available in 70 markets, including Australia, USA, Canada, Great Britain, Brazil, Mexico, Russia, Spain and South Africa.  Powerade combines carbohydrates, electrolytes with fluids for energy and hydration.  It quenches thirst and replenishes minerals and carbohydrates lost during sports or other intense activities.  In most markets, Powerade is scientifically formulated with the ION4® Advanced Electrolyte System, which helps replenish 4 key electrolytes lost in sweat: Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, & Magnesium.

Winning schools selected for KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour competition

School KFC Mini-Cricket coaches Yvonne Kotse, Eldre Benadie and excited parent Tracey Johnson, along with their KFC Mini-Cricket school teams are the lucky victors of the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour competition. The teams will be making their big cricketing debut when they play in a once in a life time game against their cricketing heroes in a curtain raiser to the KFC T20 International games against the West Indies in January 2015.

The winning school teams include Laerskool Louw Geldenhuys from Johannesburg, Durban based Eden College and St Andrew’s Primary School from Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape. These teams along with their team coaches have been paired with a legendary former Proteas player who will be acting as Assistant Coaches to help them stand a winning chance. The Assistant Coaches will play an active role in the team’s preparation and build up to the tour games with exclusive coaching sessions at the schools as well as warm up games at the Ram Slam T20 Challenge taking place in the three regions prior to their big games against the Proteas.

The KFC Mini-Cricket coaches from Eden College and St Andrews Primary synonymously agreed that winning a chance to play against the Proteas in the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour will help their respective schools get some great recognition within the game. This will also provide their kids with a platform to get active with the legendary Assistant Coaches and give them an experience that they will never forget for the rest of their lives.

KFC is privileged to have Neil McKenzie, Mfuneko Ngam and Graeme Smith on board as the Assistant Coaches for the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour. Laerskool Louw Geldenhuys along with their team coach Eldre will be working with Neil to polish their batting skills. Mfuneko will be sharing his fast bowling techniques and skills with the young cricketers from Eden College. And lastly, St Andrews Primary along with Yvonne will get active with the former Proteas Captain, Graeme.

“A huge congratulations to the winning kids and their teams who entered the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour competition from across the country. We had over 2850 entries, which is exceptional! KFC is really excited about this season’s winners and our esteemed Assistant Coaches who will prepare the winning teams for the biggest game of their lives,” says Lizanne Bartlett, KFC South Africa Marketing Director.

The first coaching sessions will kick-start in Johannesburg on the 30^th of October 2014. “We are so excited about our training session with Neil, he is a legendary player and we are planning on inviting the whole school, including moms and dads, to show their support on the day,” says Eldre.

The Durban coaching session with Mfuneko will take place on the 4^th of November and Graeme will be getting active with St Andrews Primary School on the 6^th of November 2014.

The second prize winners from the competition will get active as ball boys and girls at the Ram Slam T20 Challenge games and the third place winners will be taking home KFC Mini-Cricket sets including bats, stumps and balls.

“The KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour is officially in full swing and we would like to thank everyone who entered the competition and continue to support the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids programme,” concludes Bartlett.

For more information, visit www.kfcmini-cricket.co.za and to receive tour specific updates follow #kfcminicricket.

End.

Two weeks to go before Siphumelele Primary School leave for Brazil

In two weeks an under-12 soccer team from the small township of Inanda, Pinetown, KZN, Siphumelele Primary School, leaves for Brazil to embark on an experience of a life time.  The team will be competing with 31 other countries in the biggest football tournament for kids between the ages of 10 and 12 in the world, the Danone Nations Cup World Final.

The team won this trip after being crowned Danone Nations Cup South Africa champions, and this is the first time in the tournament’s 14 year history that a school from KwaZulu-Natal will be competing in the World Finals.

Health, nutrition and pleasure are at the heart of the reason Groupe Danone introduced the tournament to the world and for 12 year-old left-winger, Lindelani Radebe, who will be travelling with the team, the 40 000 units of Ultramel yoghurt and Muesli given to the school by Danone Southern Africa has done a lot to help prepare the team for this memorable experience.

Endorsing the message of developing a healthy lifestyle was former Bafana Bafana coach and current Danone Nations Cup Southern Africa ambassador, Neil Tovey, who visited the school recently.  “He told us how important nutrition is to a player and encouraged us to eat well.  Every day we get a box of the Danone yoghurt which we take home for breakfast the next day. I love Danone products, they are the best.”

Lindelani lives with his parents, an older brother and youngster sister in Inanda.  His father is a baker at the local supermarket and his mother is a cook.  He credits his mother in particular for contributing to where he is today.  “She gives me good advice, helps with my homework and is so supportive of me.  I am the first family member to travel on a plane and she is so excited for me.  She really is helping calm my nerves.”

Lindelani’s brother, Sandile; has been his soccer inspiration. “I used to watch him play with his friends. He taught me to play and at the age of 6 years I joined a team called Inanda Stars. I am still a part of the team. We have participated in a lot of tournaments and have travelled around Durban competing. We have won soccer kit, trophies and medals. It’s a great club and they treat their players very well, they have respect for all of us regardless of the age difference.”

Preparations for Brazil are going well said the youngster.  “We are working very hard at the moment. We train for two hours every day under our new coach Mr Yengwa. He has been great. He is teaching us to concentrate on the basic skills, passing a ball, defending and attacking,” Lindelani said.

It’s getting close now and their coach is stressing the mental side of the game. “He tells us to be focused and play to the best of our ability and that we should not be intimidated when playing against other countries,” Lindelani said.

Winning the Danone Nations Cup national finals in June is his happiest memory to date. “We trained very hard and winning the tournament was what we wanted.  I was not part of the team last year and we didn’t win, so this year was my chance to make sure that the school wins because next year I won’t eligible to participate,” he said.

For Lindelani, playing soccer is what makes him happy. “I love soccer because when I am angry I take my ball and start playing soccer either with friends or by myself. It calms me down.”

Getting to know Lesedi

Favourite food - I love all types of food, but I’m a bit nervous that I won’t like the food in Brazil

Favourite subject - English and Natural Sciences

Favourite soccer player - Steven Pienaar, he is a South African player who has made a name for himself internationally, that’s what I want for myself

Favourite SA team - Mamelodi Sundowns

Hobby - I don’t have one, I’m too busy playing soccer all the time

What would you like to do after school – playing soccer professionally is my number one goal

Message to your team mates - I want all of us to have fun and enjoy Brazil, we will never ever get this opportunity again which is why we should take it all in and have fun.

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About Danone

Danone Southern Africa is part of the Danone Group, one of the fastest-growing food companies in the world.  Danone is present in over 120 countries across all continents. With 160 plants and around 100,000 employees, the Danone Group is the number one worldwide for Fresh Dairy Products. Danone’s mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible.

One of the core values of the Danone Nations Cup tournament is to encourage young people to believe in their dreams. Through this initiative Danone offers a sporting event that reaches out to and inspires millions of children all over the world

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DNC Partners:

Draw for the Danone Nations Cup World Finals puts South Africa in Group D

In a month’s time Siphumelele Primary School, from Inanda, Pinetown, KZN, will be playing their final Danone Nations Cup World Final football match in Sao Paulo, Brazil.  Groupe Danone held a draw in Brazil this week which put South Africa in Group D with Mexico, Belgium and Indonesia.

The team won the right to travel to Brazil for this once in a lifetime experience by winning the Danone Nations Cup South Africa title and, according to their coach, Siboniso Ndwandwe, preparations are going well.

“After a short holiday the boys are now back at school and it is back to training,” said Ndwandwe. “The South African Schools Football Association has assigned us a qualified coach, Mr Yengwa, who comes twice a week and Neil Tovey (ex Bafana Bafana captain and Kaizer Chiefs player now tournament ambassador) will be visiting our school next week to give us a coaching session.  I have seen the draw and believe it is in our favour and we have a good chance of progressing to the next round.”

The school has also been given the use of a pitch to train on at nearby Nhlanhla Secondary School, which is in much better condition than their own community field, and they are getting assistance from sponsors Danone, who gave the school  over 40 000 cups of Ultramel yoghurt as well as 30 boxes of Muesli. 

“We were overwhelmed with all the product that Danone has given us.  Not only is it being used to help the team build stamina, strength and bone density in preparation for Brazil, but it is also feeding the entire school of over 1 000 pupils. Being in a rural community most of the children’s parents do not work and they rely on government grants and only eat one small meal a day.”

The KZN Department of Education will be hosting a send-off breakfast next Wednesday, which will be attended be the local government officials, the school’s Governing Body as well as the teachers and team. “They will be wishing us well and motivating us before we leave,” Ndwandwe said.

At this stage, it’s all about concentrating on the basics in training, the coach said. “We want to keep it simple and not over-complicate things for the players, so we are concentrating on the basic skills: defending attacking, ball possession and building up stamina,” he said.

“The boys have been consistent in their improvement and are mastering the basics. I can safely say that each player has improved tremendously on their performance at the nationals. They are also more disciplined.”

The excitement is building at the school and in the community ahead of the departure date. “Not a day goes by without the boys talking about going to Brazil and we have to try to keep them calm and focused on school work as they also need to do well in their final exams,” Ndwandwe said.

The coach is impressed with the team’s commitment and discipline. “It would be great to come back with the trophy, but I know that the competition will be tough and I tell the boys that it is all about having fun and they must make the most of this wonderful experience.  There are not many boys in rural areas that travel to other countries, specifically Brazil,” he said

Mondale, from the Western Cape, win R500 000 in the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup

Mondale High School from Mitchell’s Plain, Cape Town finished their 2014 u-19 Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup campaign on a high after beating Kwa-Shuku, from Mpumalanga, 7 – 2 in the 3^rd place playoff game. They walk away with the R500 000 in funding that goes to the third-placed school.  Combined with their R100 000 as the Western Cape provincial winners the total goes up to R500 000.  Kwa-Shuku, from Mpumalanga, a first timer in the national finals, take home R400 000.

According to their coach, Nigel Crowie, the school is going home proud.  “We finished in 5^th position last year and our aim was to finish fourth this time around, so this third place finish is a bonus,” he said.

Mondale is gaining a reputation as a football nursery. Three of the players from the 2013 Mondale team have gone on to PSL clubs.  Brandon Dean is currently with SuperSport United, Darren Smith is in the starting line up for AmaZulu and Dillon Fransch, who is currently in Grade 12 at the school, is with Ajax Cape Town.

According to Crowie, it’s not correct to say that Mondale hosts the Ajax Cape Town youth academy. There is only one player at the school that is with their academy, Dillan Fransch, but there are about 4 others that are attached to a local Cape Town based Academy. Fransch was scouted by both Sundowns and Ajax CT at last year’s Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup but opted to remain in Cape Town.

The coach said that after their good performance at this tournament, they are hoping that more players will have been noticed by the PSL clubs.

“Our school is not a sports academy,” Crowie said. “The principal promotes excellence and doesn’t stand for mediocrity so all the boys at the school excel academically and on the sports field.  That’s one of the reason our boys have done so well in soccer, they are achievers.

However, Crowie stresses that academics come before sport. “All the players brought their books along to Pretoria to study for their exams which start in a few week’s time,” he said. “Most of the players are in grade 12, so their final exams are just around the corner. We achieved a 99 percent pass rate last year and are determined to maintain that standard”

The Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup is not an easy tournament, Crowie said. “The players seem to get better every year, but we prepared well for the finals and our hard work paid off.”  

School from Gauteng wins the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup

Holy Trinity High School from Atteridgeville, Tshwane, won the 2014 Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup in their first outing in the competition.  They beat a team that is new to the national finals, Tholokuhle High School, from Richards Bay, KZN, 3 – 0 in the final game to lift the trophy.

This means that Holy Trinity have pocketed a cool R1 million which will not be handed over in cash, but the school will identify much needed legacy projects that will benefit the entire school as well as the community around it.

Holy Trinity went into the final match at a great advantage as the majority of their players belong to the Supersport United Academy.  Two of the players, Keegan Poole and Thabo Mile, the latter scoring one of the goals in the final match, also play for the SuperSport first team.

But, said the coach, Kaitano Tembo, who is also the Supersport Development coach, they played without their number one goalkeeper, Dumisano Msibi, who is currently with the Bafana Bafana team that is in camp preparing for the African Cup of National qualifier against Congo, and three of their key players who were injured just prior to the national finals

Meanwhile, little was known about Tolokuhle – until now.  The school has been competing in the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup for a number of years but has never made it past the regional stage of the competition.  They have no academy players and are not attached to any PSL club.  They made it to the final through sheer hard work, drive and determination.

Credit must go to the winning school, Trinity.   “It’s been a long journey, one that has been interesting from the beginning right to the final game.  We saw Harmony as our main competition and when they were knocked out we knew that we had a good chance to win.  Credit must go to our Principal, Andre Castelyn.  He has supported us throughout our journey.  He believed in the boys and having him around encouraged the team to do better.  I also want to acknowledge the team captain, Zakhele Mgobhozi who showed true leadership qualities throughout the tournament.   He led by example and deserved the ‘Player of the Tournament’ award.

Trinity only came third in their Stream behind St Marks and Harmony, but secured a quarterfinal berth as the team that performed the best in the third spot.  “We came from behind to win which shows that our players have the mental ability to keep going and strive for success – even when the odds look against you.”

Results:

3^rd/4^th play off

Kwa-Shuku 2 vs Mondale 7

Goals: Sandile Hlatshwayo, Bandile Molaba (Kwa-Shuku)

Goals:  Clinton Herwel, Dillan Fransch (4), Clint Fredericks, Kyle Adriaanse

FINAL

Holy Trinity 3 vs Tholokuhle 0

Goals:  Zakhele Mgobhozi, Kwanele Zulu, Thabo Mile

POSITIONS:

18. Matlaisane Secondary School (NW)

17. Okiep High School (NC)

16. Desmond Mpilo Tutu Senior Secondary School (WC)

15. Walmer High School (EC)

14. Tlokola Secondary School (FS)

13. Thaba Jabula Senior Secondary School (GP)

12. Umqhele High School (KZN)

11. Benny’s Sports Development Academy (LP)

10. Makikele High School (LP)

9. Sebetwane Secondary School (NW)

8. Lingelihle Senior Secondary School (EC)

7. St Marks International School (NW)

6. AJ Ferreira High School (NC)

5. Harmony High School (FS)

4. Kwa-Shuku (NW)

3. Mondale High School (WC)

2. Tholokuhle Secondary School (FS)          

1. Holy Trinity High school (GP)

Individual Awards:

·         Coach of the Tournament:  Mr M. Dladla from Tholokuhle High School

·         Top goalscorer:  shared between Zakhele Mgobozi and Kwanele Zulu from Trinity

·         Fair Play award:  Benny’s Sports Development Academy

·         Goalkeeper of the tournament:  Msawakhe Mngwango from Thololuhle High School

·         Player of the tournament:  Zakhele Mgobozi from Holy Trinity High School