Registrations are still open for primary schools in the 15
Gauteng Provincial districts to enter the 2017 Danone Nations Cup.
The tournament begins at cluster level and progresses
through regional and provincial finals, with the top nine schools eventually
playing in the national finals in July. The winners there earn the right to
represent the country at the Danone Nations Cup World Finals which take place
in the United States later in the year.
The Tshwane South district usually sees between 25 and 30
primary schools competing, and among them this year will be Sunnyside Primary
School. The school has played in the competition for many years, with limited
success, until last year when, under new coach Phila Pereira they managed to
get through to the provincial finals stage.
“We never won the provincial title, but three of my players
were noticed there,” Pereira said. “Lungelo Sibeko was scouted by Supersport
United Football Club and is currently playing for their development team; and
David Mbrize and Mickey Banzio were select to play for the Pretoria Football
Club under-13s. They would never have got those opportunities if we hadn’t
played in the provincial finals, and that is motivating us to do well again
this year.”
Sunnyside selected its team for this year’s competition in
October last year. “Preparations have started,” Pereira said. “We have played
some friendlies against local clubs and all the boys also play for Blue Stars
club in the local league and I coach them there.”
Across in the Ekurhuleni South district Sonqoba Primary
School has registered again.
Their coach, Wonder Mtshali, has managed to get them into
the provincial finals every year since 2012. They competed in the
national finals in 2012 but have not managed to get there again. “We were
knocked out at the provincial stage last year, but we are already working hard
to go one better this time,” he said. “I am concentrating on our attack because
we never scored enough goals last year.
“The team needs to present a united front from the beginning
until the end of the game, leaving no gap for the opposition to counter attack
against us.”
Mtshali is full of praise for the tournament. “Grass roots
development is essential if we as a nation want to be successful at soccer. We
need more tournaments such as the Danone Nations Cup that will encourage
players and give them more exposure.
“The young players are getting exposed to professional
standards of soccer. Danone is a very important brand and visible to the whole
world. They want to nurture the talent of these players and ensure a brighter
future for them. That’s very important,” he concluded.
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Registration is
still open. Download the forms on:
Facebook:
@dncsouthafrica
Or send an email
to:
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