Western Cape schools gear up for the Danone Nations Cup Provincial Finals

 

The schools that will be playing in the under-12 Danone Nations Cup Western Cape provincial finals have emerged from the province’s process of local area and district matches, and will be in action at the D’Almeida Stadium in Mosselbay on Saturday, May 28th, kick-off at 10am.

Up for grabs, along with the Western Cape title, will be the opportunity to play in the national finals of the tournament in Boksburg on June 25^th. The national champions that are determined there will go to the Danone Nations Cup World Finals in Paris, France in October this year.

There will be six regional winning schools competing, one being The Garden Route Primary School from Mosselbay, who will have home ground advantage.  They started playing in the tournament in 2005 and this is the first time they have made it to the provincial finals.

Most of the players, according to the coach, Msingaghi Geja, also compete in local clubs which is a benefit as they have experience in competitive football.   His key message to the players prior to this weekend is to remember they are a team and to play as such.

He has no coaching qualifications and is a teacher at the school and has been both teacher and coach since 2005.  His key player, Abulele Stuurman, is not with a club but is an accurate striker scoring 5 goals in the 6 games they played. He is a great motivator and very good at creating scoring opportunities.

Zwelihle Primary School in Hermanus, representing the Overberg district will also be in action on Saturday.

The school has been participating in the competition since 2009, and in 2011 they went to the national finals as Western Cape champions, making it as far as the semi-final stage.

Their coach, Sivuyile Mghoboza, has been with the team since 2012. He is an external coach who specializes in youth coaching in the area after qualification through the Department of Arts and Culture’s Federations and Club Development programme. 

He has a SAFA Level 1 coaching certificate.  “It is very important for coaches at youth level to have some sort of coaching qualification behind them.  It is valuable in helping deal with young children and teaching them at an early age the laws of the game, good habits, controlling of the ball and communication skill among the players.”

He played for Home Destroyers Football Club in the local league in Hermanus before his work with the Department of Arts and Culture took up too much of his time and he decided to focus on youth development.

Two members of the 2011 team were scouted by the School of Excellence. Baxolele Malnjana, the captain and Sibusiso Sanda, the goalkeeper, are both in Grade 11 doing well in both football and academics.

“We obviously want to win the provincial title this year,” Mghoboza said, “but I also hope that more of our players will be scouted and recruited to play for of teams such as the School of Excellence or the Sundowns Development so that they can get an opportunity to excel and grow in their soccer careers.”

Cloetesville Primary of  Stellenbosch will be representing the Winelands district. This is the third time they have reached the provincial finals – they went through in 2009 and 2014 as well.

Roger Cupido, the team coach pointed out that the school is well known for producing good soccer players at all youth levels and have won many tournaments over the years.

“The Danone Nations Cup is an amazing experience for under-12 players,” Cupido said. “It has brought a lot of excitement to the school. Although the school is in town, many of the learners come from disadvantaged homes in the surrounding rural areas, and tournaments like this bring them a lot of joy and hope.”

Cupido has been coaching at the school since 2008. He is highly qualified in youth coaching after obtaining a SAFA Level 1 coaching certificate as well as a Level 1and 2 coaching qualifications from the Royal Netherlands Football Association.

The schools participating in the Danone Nations Cup Western Cape provincial finals are:

Central Karoo district: AH Barnard Primary School

Eden district: Garden Route Primary School

Overberg district: Zwelihle Primary School

Winelands district: Cloetesville Primary School

West Coast district: St Helena Bay Primary School

Cape Town district:  Encontsheni Public School

Partners:

 

THE SCHOOL TO REPRESENT SOUTH AFRICA AT THE DANONE NATIONS CUP WILL BE KNOWN ON SATURDAY

At approximately 4pm on Saturday, 22 June, all will be revealed!   The Under-12 team that will represent South Africa at Wembley, London in the Danone Nations Cup World Finals will have ended months of qualifiers. But just reaching the National Finals is an achievement for all nine provincial winners.  Each team started their qualification process in March and to date have played a minimum of 10 games each. 

“I want to see where the Queen of England lives,” said Katleho Mofokeng, from Kgomoco Primary School from Sharpeville in Vereeniging, after the school won the Gauteng provincial finals and found themselves a step closer to a trip to London.  “The Queen is respected by all soccer players and some of the best players in the world come from her country.”

But team coach, Musa Somora, has a different reason for going to London.  “I admire European football as the players are so disciplined on the field and train hard, particularly to score goals. As a coach I would like to go to London and see how the techniques of the other 31 countries playing.  I know I can learn a lot.”

Somora believes the reason the school won this year was due to the support from the principal.  “We have never progressed very far in the Danone Nations Cup, but last year the school decided that producing properly trained players will help South Africa in the future and improve our FIFA rankings so we were all sent on coaching courses, and this has paid off.”

But there are eight other schools in the running who would also like to experience playing on Wembley turf.

This is the first year that Siphumele Primary School from KwaZulu-Natal has entered the competition. “To get to the Nationals in our first year is a huge achievement,” said Sibusiso Phakathi.  “But I need to keep the players confident and calm and we are going to focus on one game at a time and not on London.”

Meanwhile Segolilew Primary School from the Free State’s coach, Moses Phumo believes the school has a good chance of winning. “This is the second year in succession we have reached the national finals and half the team played last year so we are well prepared.”

Teams competing in the National Finals are:

NORTHEN CAPE	Rietriver primary School
KWAZULU NATAL	Siphumelele Primary School
FREE STATE	Selogiloe Primary School
NORTH WEST	Kgotleng Primary school
MPUMALANGA	Danyeni Primary School
EASTERN CAPE	Kunzimbini Primary School
WESTERN CAPE	AH Barnard Primary School
LIMPOPO	Bantwane Primary School
GAUTENG	Kgomoco Primary School

THE DANONE NATIONS CUP ROAD SHOW MOVES TO KWAZULU-NATAL

KwaZulu-Natal is the next Province to host their Final which will take place at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Pinetown on Saturday, 24 March.

A school, that up until three years ago was a 4-block mud building, by the name of Oqondweni Primary School, will represent Obonjeni Region in the Provincial Finals.  Team coach, Bongani Mlambo says that his dream of getting to the National Finals is just a few games away.  “Last year was our first appearance in the Danone Nations Cup but we lost at cluster level. To me winning through to the Provincial finals shows that hard work pays off.”

“My team is based in a rural part of KwaZulu-Natal with no proper soccer fields and we have to borrow boots from the local amateur club when we play games,” said Mlambo.

2010 KwaZulu-Natal champions, Sinenzuzo Primary School, will again be playing in the Provincial Finals on Saturday, but this does not faze Mlambo.  “We have worked really hard for this opportunity and now it’s time for the boys to embrace the moment and enjoy the game. We have the skill, the confidence – all that is left is to show what we are made of and to get to the National final.” 

Sinenzuzo Primary School went on to represent the country in the 2010 Danone Nations Cup World Finals that took place in South Africa finishing in 16^th position.

Players Mlambo highlighted to make a different to his team include midfielder Qiniso Mbonambi and Striker Mxolisi Thwala.

The KwaZulu - Natal games kick-off this weekend at 9am with the final scheduled for 2.30pm. The other 10 teams that will compete include: Masihambisane Primary from Amajuba Region, Celimfundo Primary School  (Othukela Region), Matimatolo Primary School (Umzinyathi Region), Luhana Primary School (Sisonke Region), Oqondweni Primary School (Obonjeni Region), Ophuzane Primary School (Vryheid Region), Isinamuva Primary School (Umgungundlovu Region), Kwa Dukuza Primary School (Ilembe Region), Siyephu Primary School (Ugu Region) and Ndongeni Primary.

2010 NATIONAL FINAL WINNERS - KZN'S Sinenzuzo Primary

THE ROAD TO THE DANONE NATIONS CUP WORLD FINAL BEGINS

Will Mhlahle from Bushbuckridge represent Mpumalanga Province in the Danone Nations Cup National Finals for the third successive year?  Coach Hans Mkhondo certainly believes this is possible.

Mpumalanga is the first Province to host their finals of the Danone Nations Cup scheduled to take place at the Embalenhle Stadium in Secunda on Saturday, 17 March.  Games will kick-off at 9 am with the final scheduled at 13:05pm.

 Gert Sibanda and Botshabela regions will be represented by Imizamoyethu and Mhlahle Primary Schools respectively.  This will be the third successive year the schools will be meeting in the Provincial Finals with Mhlahle progressing through to the National Finals in 2010 and 2011.  Also competing on Saturday are Chakaza Primary (Ehlanzeni Region) and Zikhuphule Primary from Middleburg Region.

 Mkhondo believes the Danone Nations Cup tournament is a stepping stone for kids to progress with their soccer:   “I use the tournament to give my boys the experience of playing against other schools.  Going to the National Finals is the best as we see how other Provinces prepare and play which helps us back at home.  I believe the reason for our continued success is that I have developed a good development programme.”

Mkhondo explains:  “I have been Mhlahle’s football coach since 2006. I registered for the Danone Nations Cup in 2007 and we have competed every year since.  For us it is the highlight of our soccer calendar and a competition the boys love to play in.”

 Mkhondo is passionate about soccer.  To ensure he gives his team the best coaching advice possible he enrolled in SAFA’s Level 2 coaching course.  “Not only would I like my team to be the one to go to Poland, but my dream is to one day have my own football academy.  I have heard through other schools that have competed in the Danone Nations Cup World Finals that the experience is unbelievable and you learn so much about different techniques and tactics.  I would like this experience as it would help me in the years to come.”

According to Communications Manager of Danone South Africa, Sandra Dorville, “The mission of Group Danone as a company is to bring health through food to as many people as possible,” she explains. “It is of vital importance to start teaching the value of a healthy diet at a young age.”

“When we launched the tournament we wanted to promote healthy eating habits by means of having fun and leading by example. Teaching the children the value of good healthy food while involved in the tournament,” says Dorville. “We also emphasise the fundamental principles; accessibility, fairplay, sportsmanship and fun to our developing young footballers.”

The winner on Saturday will represent Mpumalanga Province in the Danone Nations Cup National Final on 23 June.  The National winner will then represent South Africa at the Danone Nations Cup World Finals scheduled for Poland in October

SIPHO MNGOMEZULU’S OLD PRIMARY SCHOOL CROWNED 2011 DANONE NATIONS CUP GAUTENG PROVINCIAL WINNER!

Sapebuso Primary school is the 2011 Danone Nations Cup Gauteng Provincial champion!  The school from Orlando West, Soweto, beat Sunnyside Primary from Pretoria, 3 – 1 on penalties to clinch the title.  Both teams tied with one goal each at the end of regulation time. Sapebuso, managed by a determined and feisty woman, Lahliwe Rakosa, will now compete in the Danone Nations Cup National Finals taking place at the Eldorado Park Stadium on 9 July.

“This is just fantastic,” said an elated Rakosa.  “We have never competed in the Danone Nations Cup before and to win at our first outing is just unbelievable.  We would like to go on and win the National Finals and bring the trophy back to our home area which is District 12. We have done this for them.”

Credit must go to the young 12 year old captain, Keorapetse Mothosola,  who marshalled the back exceptionally well throughout the day.   “I have been hearing my friends talk about the Danone Nations Cup for years now and today was my turn to shine.  I really got confident after winning the first two games but was a bit worried coming up against Bree Primary.  I believe we will do well at the National Finals,” said the youngster who one day wants to play for Kaizer chiefs.

Sipho Mngomezulu from Bidvest Wits is a product of Sapebuso Primary. “We might not  have played in this prestigious competition, but soccer is a key sport played at the school and we are proud of our products such as Sipho and we will produce many more in the future,” said Rakosa.

The 2011 Danone Nations Cup winners will represent South Africa at the Danone Nations Cup World Finals scheduled to take place in Madrid, Spain from 5 to 10 October.

Group Danone, one of the world’s largest producers of fresh dairy products, started the competition in 2000 with the desire to act sustainably on behalf of children’s well-being and health. Football as a universal sport is the perfect way to promote values like fair play, the pleasure of the game, team spirit, sharing -and above all- human values like openness, and respect, explains Sandra Dorville, communications manager of Danone South Africa.

“By bringing healthy food and some good healthy fun together, children learn about life through a shared experience. And to those who get to the world finals, it is an experience that will undoubtedly become a cherished memory,” says Dorville.

Every year approximately 2 000 schools register for participation in the South African Danone Nations Cup and, after tough qualifying rounds, the number gets reduced to nine who then compete in the National finals.

Results

Pool A

Benoni West 0 – 1 Bree Primary

Sapebuso       1 – 0 Makapane

Benoni West 0 – 1 Sapebuso

Bree Primary 0 – 1 Makapane

Makapane     1 – 0 Benoni West

Sapebuso       0 – 0 Bree Primary (Bree 4 – 2 on penalties)

Pool B

Sunnyside       1 – 1 Diodi

Kgotletlelang 0 – 0 Ukhanyiso (Ukhanyiso 3 – 2 on penalties)

Sunnyside       1 – 0 Kgotletlelang

Diodi                0 – 0 Ukhanyiso (Ukhanyiso 3 – 2 on penalties)

Ukhanyiso      0 – 0 Sunnyside (Ukhanyiso 2 – 0 on penalties)

Kgotletlelang 1 – 0 Diodi (Diodi 3 – 2 on penalties)

Final

Sapebuso    1 – 1 Sunnyside (Sapebuso won 3 – 1 on penalties)

ABOUT DANONE

Danone entered the South African market in 1998 through a joint venture created with Clover SA. In January 2010 Danone acquired 100% of the Danone-Clover joint-venture and Danone Southern Africa was born. With 47% market share, Danone Southern Africa is the leader in the fresh dairy products and desserts.

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.

CANON SA, A PROUD PARTNER OF THE 2011 DANONE NATIONS CUP

Danone Southern Africa is proud to announce that Canon, world-leader in imaging solutions, will be supporting the Danone Nations Cup, the largest youth football tournament for players between the ages of 10 and 12 in the world.  The tournament has been organised by Danone since 2000 and involves 2.5 million youngsters each year from all corners of the world.

Run under the auspices of the South African Schools Football Association (SASFA), the South African leg of the Danone Nations Cup includes over 2 000 schools from all corners of the country. For the local tournament, Canon South Africa is sponsoring all still and video photography, will sponsor various camera prizes to be utilised as give-aways to the public, VIP’s and other guests and will also provide Canon Say Cheese photographers who will be taking social photographs of the guests in the VIP area at the National Finals held on 9 July 2011. Various other prizes will also be sponsored by Canon for media to give away as competition prizes leading up to the finals in order to create as much awareness as possible around the tournament.

Danone and Canon will also be campaigning to find a Kids Reporter who will accompany the South African team to Madrid, Spain from 5 – 10 October.  This youngster, who must be between the ages of 12 and 16, will go armed with a Canon Ixus 1000HS camera to take pictures for various South African publications.  Etv, who will be sending a camera crew to Spain, have further agreed to allow the winner to report on his experience which will be broadcast on Eshibobo on his return to South Africa.

Michelle Janse van Vuuren, Marketing Manager of Canon South Africa says:  “Globally Canon has supported football for many years and with Canon Europe putting its weight behind the Danone Nations Cup 2011 we at Canon SA are equally excited about our involvement.”

“Soccer brings people together, and in South Africa this was clearly demonstrated during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. We believe the Danone Nations Cup encourages the young participants to become excellent sportsmen and always give their best in order to achieve success. It gives us great pleasure to help capture the memories and tell the story that these youngsters will want to cherish forever.”

Danone is once again delighted with the partnership:  “The Danone Nations Cup is 12 years old this year and has gained credibility in the international world of football and boasts FIFA’s stamp of approval. Canon’s involvement has also contributed to placing the tournament on a different level,” said Sandra Dorville, Communications Manager of Danone South Africa.

“Danone’s goal is to offer as many youngsters in the world the opportunity to live their dream, promote sport and its values to young people and in line with our brand values, encourage healthy living through nutritious food to as many people as possible.  Canon now also helps us to capture this on film forever.”

The Danone Nations Cup National Finals will be held at Eldorado Park on 9 July involving the nine Provincial winners.