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
Danone Partners
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