Bree Primary hopes to relive their 2009 Danone Nations Cup success

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

SANLAM KAY MOTSEPE SCHOOLS CUP KICKS-OFF IN BLOEMFONTEIN

The U-19 National Finals of the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup kicked off at Clive Solomon Stadium in Mangaung Metro, Bloemfontein today with 18 teams competing for the R1 million on offer for first prize.  With so much at stake the players are performing at their best and there have been some exciting games.

 

Shawn Bishop, chief scout for Mamelodi Sundowns, was impressed with the talent he saw.  “Some of the players here could walk straight into a PSL Club and play for the first team,” he said.  “There is no lack of talent and I am impressed with the way the schools are playing as a team.  There is structure, composure and good team work.”

 

Most of the schools played two matches on the first day and among those to impress early on were Pretoria's Rosina Sedibane Sports Academy, who scored 11 goals in their two matches. They beat the Northwest Province representatives Sol Plaatjie and Gaopalelwe 4-1 and 7-0, respectively.

 

Pre-tournament favourites Harmony Sports School of Virginia, Free State, are on track to defend their title after recording two wins and a draw in their three pool games on the first morning. They beat Langeberg High from the Western Cape 3-0 in their opening fixture, and  Eastern Cape's Mceba High 3-1 in their second, before being held to a goaless draw by Steenberg High from the Western Cape.

 

Harmony had the afternoon off and will have just two games tomorrow, which may give them an edge over the other sides in their group who still have three to play.

 

Gauteng's School of Excellence also came into the tournament with high hopes and they experienced mixed fortunes on day one.  They lost 2-1 to Western Cape champions Cloetesville, and then beat KwaZulu-Natal's Ezibukweni 3-1 and Sol Plaatjie of Northwest 3-0. Their Stanley Muishond, marked as one of the players to watch at the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup National Finals, has not disappointed and scored a hattrick against Ezibukweni from KwaZulu-Natal.

 

Results

Pool A:  Cloetesville 2 School of Excellence 1, Rosina Sedibane 4 Sol Plaatjie 1, School of Excellence 3 Ezibuweni 1, Rosina Sedibane 7 Gaopalelwe 0, Sol Plaatjie 1 Cloetesville 0, School of Excellence 3 Sol Plaatjie 0. 

Pool B: Dr R Cingo 1 Reitvlei 0, East High College 3 Lingelihle 1, Benny's Sports Academy 2 East High College 2, Lindile 1 Dr R Cingo 0,

Pool C: Harmony 3 Langberg 0, Mammoka High 0 Steenberg 0, Harmony 3 Mceba High 1, Mammoka 1 Emtshezi 0, Harmony 0 Steenberg 0

GAUTENG COPA COCA-COLA PROVINCIAL FINAL WILL SEE SOME PAST WINNERS AND ONE NEW ONE COMPETING

The list of qualifiers for the National Finals in the under-15 COPA Coca-Cola football competition is starting to take shape, and it’s Gauteng’s turn this weekend to determine their participating school.

The eight Gauteng regional winning schools will gather at the Saul Tsotetsi Grounds in Sebokeng on Saturday. They will play pool matches in two sections, followed by playoffs with the action kicking-off at 9am and entrance is free.

The schools that will be in action are a who’s who of the high quality footballing schools in the province as many house players from some of the PSL Club academies.

Rosina Sedibane-Modiba High School from the Tshwane South Region is one that teaches the players from SuperSport United’s development programme, and has won provincial and national titles at various age group levels over the years, although they have only reached the provincial playoffs of COPA Coca-Cola in the past two years, finishing second last year. 

The school is determined to go one better this time around. “It’s always an educational and an inspiring experience to play in COPA Coca-Cola,” says team manager, Sanjay Baktawa. “The players always come out better from the tournament because of all the exposure and from seeing the high quality football played at the tournament.”

“Watch out for Nelson Maluleka, my key striker whom I know will one day be a household name.  Then I have Paul Keegan (Goalkeeper) and Dane Jooste (midfielder), also talented players,” said Baktawa.

Other big names to go through to this stage of the competition are Johannesburg Secondary School from the Johannesburg North Region, who educates players from the Orlando Pirates development programme and Highlands North Boys’ High School from Johannesburg East.  These teams will now have competition from Clapham High School (Tshwane North) who, as from the beginning of the year, educates players from the Mamelodi Sundowns Academy.

Zitikeni Secondary School from the Ekurhuleni North Region is also a new comer on the block. Their coach Robert Nkoana is hoping his boys will do well. “To be part of a tournament of this calibre is very exciting.  We never thought we would get this far in our first appearance.  Rosina and Johannesburg Secondary have a reputation as the teams that always do well in these tournament but we will take them on.  We might not have academy players in our team but I have excellent talent like captain, Lebogang Mashiane and Karabo Mokau (defender) and Thabo Mokwana (midfielder).”

“If we win COPA Coca-Cola we want to spend the money on soccer equipment, goalposts and flags,” said Nkoana, a Maths teacher at the school who has no formal football coaching training.

The other schools that will be involved in the Gauteng COPA Coca-Cola Provincial Championship are: Thomas Mofolo Secondary School (Johannesburg Central) Basa Tutorial Institute (Johannesburg South) and Edendale School (Gauteng North).

About COPA Coca-Cola:

·         Copa Coca-Cola is run under the auspices of the South African Schools Football Association (SASFA)

·         Coca-Cola started sponsoring Coca-Cola Football Stars in 2005.

·         Between 2005 and 2008 a TV reality element was introduced aimed at finding the top 18 players who would go on to compete internationally.  To keep interests high an elimination process was brought in to reduce players from approximately 70 down to 18 and the public witnessed the trials and tribulations that went into becoming a top football player.

·         In 2009 and 2010 the name changed to bring the tournament in line with Coca-Cola’s global youth strategy to COPA Coca-Cola.  The aim of the tournament remained the same i.e. to look for the top Under-19 school in the country and find the top 18 players who then competed against approximately 13 other African schools in the Copa Coca-Cola finals. 

·         In 2012 COPA Coca-Cola became an Under 15 tournament to align with the Copa Coca-Cola globally. 

·         The tournament starts off at Cluster level (this level is now complete as it happened in January)

·         Regional winners then compete in the Provincial Finals

·         Provincial winners then compete in the National Finals taking place from the 3^rd – 7^th July.

Groutville High School are the 2011 KZN Copa Coca-Cola Provincial champions

Groutville High School from the Ilembe Region were crowned the KwaZulu Natal          Copa Coca-Cola provincial winners after beating Shayamoya High School from Sisonke Region   4-3 on penalties, after the full time score ended in a one all draw.  The finals took place in Empangeni at the Umhlathuze Stadium, the home of National First Division club, Thanda Royal Zulu.

Both teams were first time Copa Coca-Cola contenders.  Shayamoya looked the more determined team when they took to the field for their final match and opened the scoring 20-minutes into the game.  Groutville, who had played an impressive semifinal against Siyahlomula High winning 4 – 2 just prior to the match, were visibly tired and did not look like they could match their on-form opponents.  But football is unpredictable and Groutville gradually worked their way back into the game and were rewarded when Sandile “Sdumo” Gumede netted the equalizer 15-minutes into the second half. It was then time for the penalty shootout and it was the Groutville players who managed to squash the nerves thereby edging out their opponents.

But Shayamoya did not go home empty handed as their players took home all the top achievement awards: Top Goal Scorer: Mlungisi Mdwebu, Player of the Tournament: Mzingizi Chiya (defender) and Goal Keeper of the Tournament: Xolile Dayi

Siza Blaai, Groutville High School Coach, admitted the game was a tough one:  “The boys were held under pressure by a really good team which looked comfortable against us. We put too much into our semifinal game.  We even had time to rest while watching our opponents beat Enyanyeni High 3-2 on penalties during their semifinals. But we took our chances and we won and that is what counts. I am very proud of the boys and we look forward to the road to the national finals in Kimberley. The boys are upbeat and have promised to work hard to try and bring the national championship trophy home.”

“Copa Coca-Cola creates a wonderful opportunity to get young aspiring players to focus on what they love: playing football and developing their skills as well as living an active lifestyle,” said Themba Nobanda, Coca-Cola Brand Manager. “This sponsorship provides Coca-Cola with the platform to reach future South African football stars, role models and decision makers and we encourage them to set goals.  What was so good about this weekend was to see teams that have never competed in a previous Copa Coca-Cola doing so well, which means we are broadening our base.”

Groutville High win R40 000 as the KwaZulu Natal Provincial winner with the National Finals being their next challenge happening at the Galeshewe Stadium in Kimberley from 31th March to 2nd April. The national winner will take home R150 000 worth of school or sport equipment for their school.

RESULTS

GROUP A:

Siyahlomula 0 vs Ezibukweni 0

Kwafica 0 vs Siyahlomula 10

Ezibukweni 8 vs Kwafica 0

GROUP B:

Umqhele 3 vs Bechet 2

Groutville 2 vs Umqhele 2

Bechet 1 vs Groutville 5

GROUP C:

Kwantatshana 1 vs Enyaneni 3

Buhlebomzinyathi 0 vs Kwantatshana 5

Enyaneni 2 vs Buhlebomzinyathi 2

GROUP D:

Zamangothando 1 vs Welabasha 3

Shayamoya 8 vs Zamangothando 0

Welabasha  3 vs Shayamoya 4

FINAL LOG POSITION:

Group A: Siyahlomula, Ezibukweni, Kwafica

Group B: Groutville, Umqhele, Bechet

Group C: Enyanyeni, Kwantatshana, Buhlebomzinyathi

Group D: Shayamoya, Welabasha, Zamangothando

SEMI FINALS

Siyahlomula 2 vs Groutville 4

Enyanyeni (1) P2 vs Shayamoya (1) P3

FINAL

Groutville (1) P4 vs Shayamoya (1) P3

Media Enquiries:

Tulisiwe Mkatshwa

Brand PR and Communications Manager

Coca-Cola South Africa

0823771207

On behalf of Coca-Cola

Intune Communications

Pearl Ndlazi

0832321389

The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, the world’s most valuable brand, the Company’s portfolio features 14 billion dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply and Georgia. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company’s beverages at a rate of 1.7 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our website at

www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

Copa Coca-Cola Provincial Finals kick-off this weekend

On the surface footballers, Mandla Masango, Happy Jele and Andile Jali might not seem to have much in common – particularly considering that they play for competing rival teams, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, but there is a much deeper connection than the teams that they play for – they started their careers by competing in Copa Coca-Cola Tournament.

Yet another season of high-quality, highly competitive soccer to find the country’s next big names in the game is in full swing. The Copa Coca-Cola tournament is all about finding the best Under-18 school team, as well as the most promising Under-18 talent in the country by playing it out with level-by-level knock-outs.

In some areas, the regional finals are now over and it is time to move onto the next level. Gauteng, Northern Cape and Mpumalanga will be the first provinces to find their representative teams on 5 March 2011. The winners of the provincial finals will go on to play in the national finals from 30^th March to 2^nd April 2011.

Kimberley’s Galeshewe Stadium will host the Northern Cape regional finals for a clash between Rietvale High School from Francis Baard Region, Kakamas High School from Siyanda Region, Langberg High School from John Taole Region and Orion High School from Pixley ka Seme Region.

Mpumalanga knock-outs will be staged at Magudulela Stadium in Piet Retief. Teams vying for a place in the national finals are; Fredie Sithole High School from Dwarsloop Region, Ithafa High School from Gert Sibanda Region, Sozama High School from Nkangala and Tikhontele Secondary from Ehlanzeni regions.

In Gauteng, Rosina Sedibane Secondary School from Lodium, Seanamarela High School from Mapetla, Motlhodi High School from Sharpville, Transnet School Of Excellence from Elandsfontein, Ntiesetsang High School from Alberton, Buhlebemfundo High School from Ekurhuleni and Jet Nteo High School from Boipatong will be battling out at KwaThema Sports Ground in Springs on Saturday, 5^th March. Games will commence at 9:00 at all three venues.  There will be an added attraction in Springs with the appearance of former Leeds and Bafana Bafana player, Lucas Radebe, who is also Copa Coca-Cola ambassador.

The tournament will become very fierce after the provincial finals, when each province will have a representative team playing it out for the top spot. But it’s not all about being competitive; there are a number of lessons to be learned about the world of professional football. Living under the public eye, balancing work and family life, and looking after one’s body are some of the issues that these young competitors will be exposed to as the competition progresses.

“It’s all about youth development - about balancing the pressures of professional sport with an active and meaningful lifestyle,” explains Sandya Leckram, Senior Brand Manager of Coca-Cola South Africa. “The teams that compete learn that there is much more to being a professional footballer than simply kicking the ball around really well, and those who adapt the best to this lifestyle and these challenges will undoubtedly catch the eye of talent scouts.”

The tournament gives high school players a legitimate opportunity to become professional football players. Copa Coca-Cola also forms part of SASFA’s talent identification programme and therefore scouts will be there searching for ‘rough diamonds’. It is SASFA’s responsibility to entrench the beautiful game into the hearts and minds of young South Africans through Copa Coca-Cola.

Some staggering statistics about the Copa Coca-Cola Tournament: over 60 000 youngster from approximately 3000 schools are expected to participate in this year’s event. Any school that makes it to the national final will win school equipment to the value of R40 000 for their school – third place receives R60 000, second place R100 000, while the 2011 Champions will walk away with R150 000 worth of school equipment – plus the attention of the talent scouts that have the power to make dreams of a career in soccer a reality.

Ends

Media Enquiries:

Tulisiwe Mkatshwa

Brand PR and Communications Manager

Coca-Cola South Africa

0823771207

On behalf of Coca-Cola

Intune Communications

Pearl Ndlazi

0832321389

The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company is the world’s largest beverage company. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world’s valuable brand, the company markets four of the world’s five non alcoholic sparkling brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta and Sprite, and a wide range of other beverages, including diet and light beverages, waters, juices and juice drinks, teas, coffees, energy and sports drinks. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company’s beverages at a rate of 1.5 billion servings each day. For more information about The Coca-Cola Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.