Lukhanyo Primary School to represent Western Cape at the Danone Nations Cup

Lukhanyo Primary School, of Hermanus in the Overberg district, is the 2014 Western Cape provincial champions in the under-12 Danone Nations Cup competition. They beat Koekenaap Primary 1-0 in the final last Saturday to qualify for a spot in the national finals in Boksburg on 28 June and, with it, a chance to challenge for a trip to Brazil to play in the Danone Nations Cup world finals.

Michael Manqola, the team’s manager, is proud of his team’s achievements. “We were knocked out in the provincial finals in 2012 and it has taken us another two years, but we have got here again – and this time we are the provincial champions.”

Striker and team captain, Zolani Ngcambu was the hero of the day on Saturday.  “I hope there are some scouts at the national finals as this youngster deserves to get into an academy,” he said.  “He scored 6 goals in four games leading up to the provincial finals and took 2 penalties at the provincials to help us win through to the final.  He is a determined young boy with good leadership qualities.”

The team did not start well on the day, said Ngcambu.  Firstly, for all the boys it was their first time they spent a night in a hotel.  “I was surprised at how unsettled the boys were.  They didn’t sleep well and the day started off slowly.  They are all new to the tournament so felt a bit intimidated by seasoned professionals like Cloetesville Primary who are known in Cape Town as the top football school.” Ngcambu credited his young captain for the way he stepped up to the plate and helped ease the nerves of his fellow team mates and gave them encouragement to get the nerves under control.

Manqola will be focusing on motivating the team leading up to the nationals.  “The Nationals will be a completely different ball game and we need to start the day with guns blazing so my focus for the next couple of weeks will be to get the kids excited.  We need to be a united front from the beginning until the end and in that way we leave no gap for the opposition to counter attack us,” he said.

Manqola is encouraging his players to make friends with other players from different provinces at the national final and enjoy every minute.  “They know Johannesburg as the biggest city where everything happens and they are looking forward to the adventure.  No matter what happens at the national final, the boys will get to experience the fast pace of the city and will take home with them treasured memories.”

But the prize of a trip to play in the World Finals is definitely worth fighting for. “We just need to remain focused, and make sure that we cover all our bases on the field and we will take it one game at a time.”

Western Cape Provincial Finals Results

Koekenaap PS 1 vs Cloetesville PS 0

Ysterplaat PS 0 vs PJ Badenhorst PS 0 PJ Badenhorst won on penalties

Lukhanyo PS 1 (3) v Teske MPS 1 (2)

Koekenaap PS 0 vs Ysterplaat PS 0 Ysterplaat won on penalties

Cloetesville PS 0 vs PJ Badenhorst PS 0 Cloetesville won on penalties

Lukhanyo PS 1 vs Koekenaap PS 0

Teske MPS 1 vs Ysterplaat PS 0

Cloetesville PS 0 vs Lukhanyo PS 0 Lukhanyo won on penalties

PJ Badenhorst PS 0 vs Koekenaap PS 0 Koekenaap won on penalties

Teske MPS 0  vs Cloetesville PS 0 Teske MPS won on penalties

Ysterplaat PS 2 vs Lukhanyo PS 0

Teske MPS 3 vs PJ Badenhorst PS 0

Cloetesville PS 1 vs Ysterplaat PS 0

Koekenaap PS 1 vs Teske MPS 0

PJ Badenhorst PS 1  vs Lukhanyo PS 1 Lukhanyo won on penalties

Final - Koekenaap Primary 0 vs Lukhanyo Primary 1