Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Bree Primary hopes to relive their 2009 Danone Nations Cup success


Johannesburg’s Bree Primary – the 2009 Danone Nations Cup world title holders - are through to the Gauteng provincial finals of the 2015 competition and ready to regain their former glory.

The finals will be the WJ Clements Stadium in Reiger Park on 13th June.

Their team manager, and principal of the school, Devanand Kalicharran, explains that they have virtually the same team that entered the competition last year, and their performances in the competition so far have shown that they have benefited greatly from the experience they have picked up.

“Last year we simply did not score enough goals,“ he said. “We drew two games and only won one at the provincials and were eliminated. Now, we have played 11 games and won them all.

“The team has a much better attitude, they are more mature and confident and we are well prepared. We are participating in local leagues and in different soccer tournaments so the players have been able to get a lot of game time, which has made them bond as a team.”

The school’s track record in the competition has made them a target, Kalicharran explains. “Every school that we play, from cluster level up, see us a threat and want to prove that they can beat us. But we have an edge over the other teams, we have been at this level before we know what to expect.”

Goal-scoring was a problem last year, but the team’s strikers, Lunga Nonkelela and Tshepo Baitshumedi are in good form, both have scored six goals so far, and Kalicharran sees them as key players for the team. “Our goalkeeper Mncedisi Nguse, has also grown greatly and we have 3 good defenders in Ntando Simayele, Kgomolemo Dladla and Tsegofatso Ikge.”

Coaching and managing kids is tough, Kalicharran said. “They are easily demotivated and it’s my job to make sure that when they start feeling that way I quickly get them back up.

“I often talk of the miracle team of 2009. I tell them that the 2009 team was no different to them, they didn’t have special powers. We didn’t expect them to win the World Finals, but they won because they worked hard and they believed in themselves. I tell this team to work hard and believe in themselves too.

The school has maintained its relationship with Orlando Pirates and still supplies players to their youth Academy. They are also associated with Stars of Africa Football Academy. They regularly visit the school and check out the talent.

“We will win the provincials this year, I believe that the teams is capable it,” Kalicharran said. “We still have the same coach Bafana Dlamini, and he is still dedicated to the team and its success. We have rectified our mistakes, the only challenge we have is that the week of the provincials is exam week at the school, so we are trying to figure out how we will fit in 1 good training session before the provincials next Saturday.”

The Gauteng provincial contenders are:
Bree Primary School-JHB North District
Sonqoba Primary School-Ekurhuleni South District
Nancefield Primary School- JHB Central District
Sikhulisile Primary School- Gauteng North District
Michael Mkhwanazi Primary School- Gauteng East District
Christian Progressive College- Tshwane West District
Tsumbedzo Primary School - JHB West District
Acorn Park Primary School-Sedibeng District

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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