Benny’s Sports Development Academy are the 2018 under-12 Danone Nations
Cup Limpopo champions. They beat Kgagudi Primary School in the final in
Polokwane last weekend to advance to the national finals where they hope to
emulate the school’s 2016 team who won the national title and represented the
country at the world finals in France where they finished 16th.
The Limpopo contenders were:
Capricorn district: Letjatji Primary School
Mopani district: Miragoma Primary School
Sekhukhune district: Kgagudi Primary School
Waterberg district: Mmamakwa Primary School
Vhembe district: Benny’s Sports Development Academy
The team is coached by Mbishi Mokwena, who was also the coach when
Benny’s won the nationals in 2016. The school also made the national finals in
2015.
Those 2016 players, who are now in the high school, attended the
provincial finals to support and motivate the 2018 players. “The trip to France
for the world finals has completely changed the boys,” said Mbishi. “They
are more confident both on and off the field and I am hoping that this year’s
team will have the same opportunities”.
Although they managed to win on Saturday, the coach believes any
school could have won the tournament as they were all strong and it was not an
easy ride. “My coaching strategy leading up to the national finals will focus
on rectifying the mistakes we made last weekend,” he said.
“The biggest concern was the strikers. They missed a lot of scoring
opportunities. I think they were nervous because it was the first time the boys
had ever played in a tournament of the magnitude of the Danone Nations Cup”.
Mbishi stresses that the hard work has only just begun. “Most of
the players have never been to Johannesburg so, as well as getting them
prepared tactically and technically, we also need to educate them on the
enormity of the city to prevent them feeling overwhelmed.
“They need to understand that, no matter who they face, they must
believe in themselves and match the standard as they will come face to face
with some excellent teams.
“Nutrition is also important. We grow our own vegetables at the
school and we will ensure that the boys eat a well-balanced diet, including
Nutriday yoghurt, to ensure their energy and stamina levels are high as they
will be playing quite a few games in the final”
He is arranging games against local clubs and older age groups to
prepare the team as best he can
“It was interesting to note on the weekend that there were some
excellent players on display. They should be put into soccer academies so that
they can be groomed,” Mbishi concluded.
Results
Game 1: Against Mmamakwa Primary School. Benny’s missed some scoring
opportunities against a good defense team, but still won 2-0
Game 2: Against Letjatji Primary School. Both teams were strong, and
each scored in quick succession. Benny’s scored the winning goal towards the
end of the game and they won 2-1.
Game 3: Against Miragoma Primary School. It was fairly easy and Benny’s
won 2-0 comfortably.
Game 4: Against Kgagudi Primary School. They were Benny’s strongest
competition and Benny’s lost 1-0. This meant they finished second on the
log and had a chance to redeem themselves as they met Kgagudi again in the
final.
Final: Benny’s scored first, however, Kgagudi equalised minutes later.
The game was exciting and the cheers from the supporters were amazing.
Mbishi thought it would end in a draw and go on to penalties, but in the final
minute of the game Benny’s scored the winning goal making them the 2018 Danone
Nations Cup Limpopo provincial winners.
Game 1: Kgagudi PS 1 vs Miragoma PS 0
Game 2: Mmamakwa PS 0 vs BDSA 2
Game 3: Letjatji PS 0 vs Kgagudi PS 1
Game 4: Miragoma PS 0 vs Mmamakwa PS 1
Game 5: BDSA 2 vs Letjatji PS 1
Game 6: Kgagudi PS 1(4) vs Mmamakwa PS 1 (5)
Game 7: Miragoma PS 0 vs BDSA 2
Game 8: Mmamakwa PS 0 vs Letjatji PS 1
Game 9: BDSA 0 vs Kgagudi PS 1
Game10: Letjatji PS 1 vs Miragoma PS 0
Final Game: Kgagudi 2 vs BDSA 3
Ends.
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