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The under-12 Danone
Nations Cup football tournament will step up a gear over the next few months as
the Gauteng Province elimination process gets underway.
More than 2 700
schools registered for the competition last year and this is expected to be
exceeded as the dates of the provincial finals have been pushed out due to the
world finals taking place in 2019.
The Gauteng defending
provincial champions, Arcon Park Primary School from Sedibeng East, Vereeniging
will be back in action this year, as will several first timers including
Enkanyezini Primary School based in Phiri, Soweto who will be playing in the
central Johannesburg cluster.
“I have been following
the tournament via Facebook and the local media,” said Langa Masia, Enkanyezini
team manager and English and life orientation teacher. “I realise the
importance of such a tournament in a youngsters’ life and it is an excellent
platform to give our players the opportunity to experience competing in a
high-profile tournament, so I decided to enter us this year.”
Masia aspires to the
principles of the tournament and teaches them to his players. “Educating
kids on developing healthy eating habits, the element of fair play and to
believe in your dreams are important aspects in a child’s life.”
The school has
produced a famous soccer star in the form of Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs
player, Simphiwe Tshabalala. “Simphiwe still plays an important role at
the school and contributes by donating sport equipment and school shoes. He
often visits us and speaks to the kids and encourages them to never give up
hope, stay focused and make sure they stay at school.’
Enkanyezini is a small
school with only 352 learners, but they have enough under-12 players to put
together a formidable team, explained Masia. The team will be coached by
Bongani Mhlambi, also a previous student at the school and the current
administration manager. He has no formal coaching qualifications but has picked
up plenty of advice from Tshabalala.
Masia knows it won’t
be easy competing in the tournament against excellent and well coached teams.
“It’s about the experience and getting the kids to network with other soccer
players their age. The experience will help to broaden their minds and get them
to realise it is a big world out there filled with endless opportunities,” he
said.
Games in Soweto kick-off next
week. The South African Schools Football Association (SASFA) will be
announcing the fixtures and dates this week.
Ends.
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