Clapham High School from Gauteng are the 2015 Kay Motsepe Schools Cup champions.

Clapham High School from Gauteng were crowned the 2015 Kay Motsepe Schools Cup champions after beating Sukuma High School from KwaZulu-Natal 5 – 0 in the final match that took place in Soweto today.

Clapham is the only school to have won the tournament twice (they won in 2013), and they take home R1 million to be spent on legacy projects that will make a difference to the school and all its learners.

Sukuma put on a fine performance, and to have reached the national finals on their first attempt in the tournament is an amazing achievement.  The school wins R600 000.

There were a host of high profile government officials watching the final match including the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, as well as tournament founder and prominent business man, Mr Patrice Motsepe and his wife, Dr Precious Motsepe.

The Clapham team was made up of players that are attached to the Mamelodi Sundowns Academy and Sundowns head coach, Pitso Mosimane and assistant Trott Moloto were also in attendance to watch their development players to look for their future stars.

“There is no better tournament than the Kay Motsepe Schools Cup,” said Moloto.  “It allows for kids from the most rural areas the opportunity to play competitive football as well and get the chance to better their football careers by being identified by PSL Clubs.”

“Players that started in school football include the likes of Lucas Radebe, Phil Masinga and the late Thomas Madigage.  The latter two I personally taught when I was still teaching Maths at Phefeni Secondary School in Soweto.  I then sent them to Jomo Sono who developed them into international players,” said Moloto.

In the third/fourth play-off the SAFA Transnet School of Excellence finished in third place to take home R500 000 and rank outsiders, Groblershoop from the Northern Cape  finished in fourth position to win R400 000.

Individual awards were presented to:

Coach of the tournament:  Mike Mandzini

Top Goalscorer:  Keletso Makgalwa (Clapham)

Player of the Tournament: Mlondi Dlamini (Clapham)

Gauteng giants face up in the U19 Kay Motsepe Schools Cup Inter District Finals

The new school term has only just begun, but it’s straight into the action for Pretoria’s Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School as they face Clapham High School in a Kay Motsepe Schools Cup, sponsored by Sanlam and the Motsepe Foundation, Gauteng inter-districts clash on Thursday 23rd July, at Rosina.

Reginald Paterson, the school’s deputy principal and coach of the team, explains that his team is young and inexperienced, but up for the challenge.

“We are no longer affiliated to the SuperSport United youth academy,” he explained, “so we have to stand on our own feet now. But this team has been together for a few years now and we are optimistic about them.”

Paterson, who started coaching soccer at Rosina 11 years ago and has a level 2 coaching qualification, has been with the team since they were under-13s. The 2015 side is basically the school’s under-17 team, with a few experienced players left over from last year’s competition.

“They have adjusted well to playing at the U19 level and should they not make it this year they have another 2 years in this tournament,” Paterson said. “The team has been playing together for a long time so they are used to each other and communicate very well on the field.”

Paterson sees the adjustment to playing without the SuperSport affiliation as an advantage because it means that they will start relying on their own strengths and their own players.

“The current team we built from scratch.  Each year we hold our own trails and we get some of the best players around, but unfortunately we end up losing them to big teams. Not so long ago SuperSport signed two of our players, Katlego Mohamme and Kamohelo Mahlatsi. Of course we want them to stay with us but at the end of the day they have to better their careers in soccer, and being a part of an academy is what will get them closer to their dreams of playing professional soccer.”

Rosina Sedibane was last in the national finals in 2013 and Paterson is confident that they will be there again this year. “I have been preaching to the team how important it is to put in the hard work. Clapham has players from the Sundowns academy and they have been very successful in this tournament before. We played in the local schools league and they beat us 2-0 but that does not mean they will do this again.

"Our strengths lie in our determination to do well and make a name for ourselves.  The Supersport United academy players went over to Holy Trinity and they have been knocked out and there is no reason we should feel intimidated when facing the Sundowns academy players at Clapham.”

Gauteng Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup Provincial Finals kick-off

Months of grueling qualifiers will culminate in eight teams competing in the first round of under-19 Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup provincial finals taking place on Saturday, 2^nd August, at the Giant Stadium, Soshanguve, Tshwane. The action will kick-off at 9am with the winners taking home R100 000 to be spent

Saturday’s winners and runners-up will qualify to play for a whopping R1 million on offer to the ultimate winner that emerges from the national finals taking place between the 6^th and 9^th October.

The current champions, Clapham High School of Pretoria, were given quite a scare by Boksburg’s Sunward Park High in a thrilling inter-district final played last week. They finally managed to beat them 5-3 in a penalty shootout. 

As Gauteng and national champions for 2013, Clapham won R1.1 million which they will be using to build a new Life Orientation centre, a pavilion with a coaches room; and to buy white boards, desks and chairs for learners, as well as staff tables and chairs, cabinets and a boardroom table.

Johannes Petje, Clapham’s team manager, was shaken after the Sunward encounters and admitted that while they knew Sunward Park was a good team, they were taken by surprise and did not expect such a hard game. “When you are the champions it’s not easy as everyone wants to beat you and they prepare very well,” he said

“They played better than us and deserved to win, but my guys showed guts and character and when it came to penalties the boys kept a level head. We started the game well and should have wrapped it up in the first 20 minutes but failed to capitalise on the chances we got.”

Petje puts the scare down to the boys only just returning to school after a month’s holiday. “Although we gave them each a training regime to follow, it is obvious they didn’t stick to it,” he said. “We have also not been able to schedule any practise games. We were also playing without 2 of our key players who are currently with the SA under-20 national team who are touring West Africa.”

So, for the Clapham technical team, it’s back to the drawing board as they admit there is a lot of work to be done before Saturday. “We need to re-group as the team is not playing like defending champions. We have 8 new recruits and they are under a lot of pressure to repeat last year’s success,” Petje said.

The provincial finals are not going to be easy, the manager said. “Every school will be gunning for us and it’s not going to be easy to remain at the top but we are determined to fight for the title as we want to keep the trophy in our cabinet.”

The following schools have qualified for the Gauteng Provincial Finals

Clapham High School (Tshwane North)

Thaba Jabula Secondary School (Johannesburg North)

East Bank High (Johannesburg East)

Kgoroyathuto High School (Sedibeng East)

Holy Trinity High School (Tshwane South)

M.O.M Sebone Secondary School (Gauteng East)

I.R Lesolang High School (Tshwane West)

Waterstone College (Johannesburg South)

About the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup:

·           The tournament is run under the auspices of the South Africa Football Association (SASFA)

   Named after prominent businessman Patrice Motsepe’s late mother, the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup offers the biggest prize money at school level in Africa (R3.4 million in total). 

·           The sponsors are:  Sanlam, the Motsepe Foundation and the Sanlam Ubuntu-Botho Community Development Trust.

·           The primary objective of the tournament is to revive the culture of school football amongst students between the age of 16 and 19 years old.

·           The tournament also gives players the opportunity to showcase their skills to soccer scouts with the talented players being recruited into development structures to be nurtured and shaped into professional players.

Champions, Clapham, win through to the under-19 Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup Inter district finals

Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup defending champions Clapham High School are safely through to the inter district stage of this year’s competition after winning the Tshwane North district finals.

While team manager, Johannes Petje, is happy with the way the tournament is progressing, he cautions that there are a couple of areas that need to be improved upon prior to the inter district finals, taking place on 24 and 25 July. “The team is a balance between new and old players,” he said. “We are tactically more advanced than other schools, but still need to adjust to playing four games in one day as we do in the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup.”

Petje admits that most schools are nervous when they play against Clapham as they are the champions, but says the games have been challenging.

There are a number of players; Petje believes could shine in the competition.  “Sihle Mbhele (midfielder), Motsi Matima (midfielder) and Ntando Ngubane (striker), are all part of the Sundowns Academy team and are players to watch out for,” he said.

“Then there is Siphelele Khebetsi, who has been exceptional this year.  “He is a striker that makes things happen.  He holds the team together and is a very influential player. His style of play is similar to Percy Tau and I predict he will make waves in this tournament.”

Added to those players are some recruited into the school team after the Mamelodi Sundowns camp at the end of last year. “Tami Mpusana and Ofentse Motlhanke were both from Louis Botha, Kableo Mabasa from Harmony High and Jason Skippers from Cloetesville have joined our team this year,” Petje said. “Their performance is great, they are doing the team proud and I hope that they continue doing so,”

Rhulani Mokoena is still the head coach of the team, and they have added an assistant coach in Mike Manzini, a former footballer for Mamelodi Sundowns. “He brings in his expertise and knowledge,” Petje said. “I believe that he and Rhulani together make a great team and they will take the current squad to new heights.”

The partnership between the school and Mamelodi Sundowns has benefited the school immensely says Petje. “Since they have come on board it has had a positive effect on every sporting codes as all kids want to excel in their  respective sports and they also want recognition just like the soccer team had last year. It has boosted participation in sport this year.”

Clapham won the R1.1 million 2013 first prize, as well as R100 000 as provincial champions, and are currently finalising their wish lists on how they want to spend their winnings.

About the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup:

·           The tournament is run under the auspices of the South Africa Football Association (SASFA)

   Named after prominent businessman Patrice Motsepe’s late mother, the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup offers the biggest prize money at school level in Africa (R3.4 million in total). 

·           The sponsors are:  Sanlam, the Motsepe Foundation and the Sanlam Ubuntu-Botho Community Development Trust.

·           The primary objective of the tournament is to revive the culture of school football amongst students between the age of 16 and 19 years old.

·           The tournament also gives players the opportunity to showcase their skills to soccer scouts with the talented players being recruited into development structures to be nurtured and shaped into professional players.

North West Danone Nations Cup Provincial Finals kick-off

It is down to just four teams and the winner on Saturday, 10^th May, at the Ikageng Stadium in Potchefstroom will earn the right to represent the North West province in the under-12 Danone Nations Cup soccer national finals in Boksburg on 28^th June, and be in the running to represent the country at the Danone Nations Cup World Finals in Brazil later this year.

Manamolela Primary School from Atamelang in the Dr RS Mompati District will be one of the schools contesting the North West provincial finals, and it’s the first time that they have advanced to this stage of the competition.

Their coach, Donald Bingwa, said it’s great to have made it through to the next round. “The school has been participating in this tournament for years and they have never reached this level before,” he said. “It’s my first time coaching the team and they have done it under my leadership. I thank the boys for giving me a good welcome to the team by qualifying.”

Bingwa admitted that getting through the cluster games was not easy and he is not expecting anything different on Saturday.  ”I didn’t expect the games to be that tough so early in the competition.  Our toughest game was against Stellaland Primary School in Vryburg. We ended up in a 0-0 draw but scraped through by beating them 6 – 5 on penalties.”

Coaching for the first time has been a learning experience for Bingwa, who has no qualifications but has a great passion for the sport. “I learn something new every day,” he said.  “The team is made up of young boys that need to be taught, watched and corrected in all aspects of soccer and they rely on my guidance and experience.”

That has been a challenge, Bingwa said, as during training or even in games, you find that some players lose their positions on the field. “They get lost or side tracked because they are still young and don’t really understand their positions and what they are meant to be doing. It’s going to take time to teach them, but that’s my job and I don’t mind doing,” he said.

Bingwa and his young team say they are ready for the challenge on Saturday, “Our biggest strength is being able to score goals, but we need to make sure that we have enough ball possession and create the opportunities to score.”

The coach does not want to single out any individual players in the team. “They all play differently and fulfill their duties differently. We are a united team and believe in team achievements as opposed to individual achievements.”

Participating teams:

Mphe Batho Primary School (Bojanala District)

Kgetleng Primary School (Ngaka M Molekma District)

Agisang Primary School (Dr Kenneth Kaunda District)

Manamolela Primary School (Dr RS Mompati District)

Sundowns Academy, Clapham High School, win R1 million as 2013 Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup Champions

Gauteng’s Clapham High School took the R1 million first prize after winning the 2013 Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup.  They beat Louis Botha Technical High School 2 – 0 in the final.  To hand out the trophy was Mr Patrice Motsepe, owner of Mamelodi Sundowns, the club that most of the players belong to.

“I am so happy,” said leading goal scorer, Khayelihle Shozi, who finished on 7 goals. “To play before my president and all the scouts that put me where I am today was an honour.  I wanted to show them that the decision to bring me into the Sundowns Academy was the right one.”

Clapham finished the tournament winning every game they played scoring an impressive 27 goals in 8 games averaging over 3 a game. 

Louis Botha might have finished in second place but they were very pleased with this and the R600 000 that went with it.  Coach, Prince Sani believes that it is not about winning but the experience.  “This is our first time in this tournament and to get this far is fantastic.  Further, I only formed the team this year so they are new and we will keep working and will definitely be back next year.  This is such a good experience for the boys.”

Sani believed that playing in the final against a team that is so tactical and technical  astute only helped his boys see what true professional football is all about.  “We have all loved our trip to Durban and will most definitely go back home wiser footballers.”

Meanwhile Rosina Sedibane Modiba beat Harmony High school 2 – 1 to clinch third place. “We travelled to Durban with Clapham, who beat us to win the provincial finals, and have built a really good relationship with them.  We were hoping to meet them in the final, but finishing third is also good.  The R500 000 will come in handy to further improve the school.

Results:

THIRD/FOURTH PLAY-OFF

Harmony 0  vs Rosina 2

Goals: Sifiso Nkosi, Kabelo Seriba

FINAL

Clapham 2 vs Louis Botha 1

CHS:  Avela Cezu, Montoro Monyai

FINAL LOG POSITIONS

1.             Clapham

2.             Louis Botha

3.             Rosina

4.             Harmony

5.             Mondale

6.             Okiep

7.             Benny’s Sports Academy

8.             Cloetesville

9.             Eric Nxumalo

10.          Freedom Park

11.          Rietvale

12.          Executive Academy

13.          FK Tjiane

14.          Ndamase

15.          Sebetwane

16.          Sibongumusa

17.          Welabasha

18.          East High

A Gauteng/Free State Sanlam Kay Motesepe Schools Cup Final

.  It was a day of high’s and low’s for the 18 teams that competed in the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup play-offs happening at the King Zwelithini Stadium, Umlazi, Durban.  For the semi-finalists it was a case of playing for the R1 million or R500 000.  But in the end Clapham (Gauteng) beat the most successful team in the tournament to date, Harmony 3 – 0 and national final first timers, Louis Botha beat Rosina Sedibane 1 – 0, to meet each other in the final match tomorrow.

For Rosina Sedibane, the school that educates the SuperSport United Academy players, the defeat by Louis Botha was a disappointment, but for Harmony, making it to the semi-finals was a great feat.  “My boys did a great job,” said coach, Pitso Mokoena. “This year I brought my U17 team.  None of them have played in this tournament before yet they rose to the occasion and showed character and a fighting spirit.  I am a happy coach.”

Mokoena would like to finish in third position, and win the school R500 000, but his focus is already turning to final exams.  “We will leave Durban with happy memories, but now it is time to study.  I do not want these boys to follow in my footsteps.  I gave us school at 17 years old and joined Free State Stars, seven years later I went to Amazulu, ending at Bloemfontein Celtic. Once my career was over I was unemployed for years until I was offered a job at Harmony.  I then had to complete my matric with the team I was coaching at the time!  I have also gone on to get my SAFA Level 1 coaching certificate.  I have a lot to teach my players both on and off the field.”

Based on statistics, the odds slightly favour Clapham in the final.  Clapham won all their games and scored 23 goals in seven games conceding just one.  Louis Botha drew two of their games and only scored 14 goals conceding two. But there are no guarantees and it will all boil down to who played the best on the day.

Harmony and Rosina Sedibane will play for third and fourth place.

But the biggest low must be the disqualification of East High from Mpumalanga due to fielding an ineligible player.

Tomorrow’s activities will commence at 9am with entertainment by Naima Kay, Professor and Big Nuz followed by the third/fourth play off at 11am.  There will be more entertainment prior to the final which will kick-off at 1pm.  Gates open at 9am and entrance is free.

Results:

QF: Clapham 2 vs Okiep 0

                Goals:  Motoro Monyai, Percy Tau

QF: Harmony 0 vs Benny’s School 0

                Harmony won 15 – 14 on penalties

QF: Louis Botha 1 vs Mondale 1

                Louis  Botha won 3 – 0 on Penalties

                Goals:  LB:  Ernest Mabathoana

                Mon:  Clinton Herwel

QF: Rosina Sedibane 1 vs Cloetesville 0

                Goal:  Sikhabuzo Mazibuko

Pos 9 – 12:  Freedom Park 1 vs Rietvale 1

                Freedom Park won 5 – 4 on penalties

                Goals:  FP:  Thembani Gwala,

                Riet:  Angelo Van Rooi

Pos 9 – 12: Eric Nxumalo 2  vs Executive Academy 0

                Goals:  Funani Mathabela, Sydney Moyane

Pos 13 – 16: Sibongumusa 1  vs FK Tjiane 2

                Goals:  Sib:  Siyanda Ngubane

                FK:  Calvin Mathebe, Dumisane Shongwe

Pos 13 – 16:  Sebetwane 1  vs Ndamase 1

                Ndamande won 3 – 2 on penalties

                Goals:  Seb: Tshepiso Lobelo

                Nda:  Ayakha Stamp

Pos 17 – 18: Welebasha buy (Welebashe finishes in 17^th position)

Pos 5 – 8: Okiep 1  vs Benny’s Sport 1

                Okiep won 5 – 3 on penalties

                Goals:  OK: Romario Waterboer,

                BS:  Lfentshwe Munyadziwa

Pos 5 – 8:Mondale 3  vs Cloetesville 0

                Goals:  Dilan Fransch, Lance Beyers, Brandon Dean

Pos 15 – 16: Sibongumusa 1  vs Sebetwane 1

                Sebetwane won 3 – 1 on penalties

                Goals Sib:Siyanda Ngubane,

                Seb:  Itumeleng Mosikare

Pos 9 – 10:  Freedom Park 0 vs Eric Nxumalo 2

                Goals:  Bonginkosi Mkhabela, Nyiko Phoko

Pos 11 – 12: Rietvale 1 vs Executive Academy 1

                Rietvale won 4 – 2 on penalties

                Goals:  Riet:  Angelo Van Rooi,

                EA: Bonga Klaushe

Pos 13 – 14: FK Tjiane 1 vs Ndamase 0

                Goal:  Dumisani Shongwe

Pos 5 – 6: Okiep 0  vs Mondale 0

                Mondale won 3 – 1 on penalties

Pos 7 – 8:  Cloetesville 0  vs Benny’s Sports 0

                Benny’s won 4 – 2 on penalties

Semifinal: Clapham 3 vs Harmony 0

                Goals: Khyelihle Shozi, Ntando Ngubane (2)

Semifinal: Louis Botha 1 vs Rosina Sedibane 0

                Goal: Aaron Mzethu

FINAL LOG POSITIONS

18.          East High

17.          Welabasha

16.          Sibongumusa

15.          Sebetwane

14.          Ndamase

13.          FK Tjiane

12.          Executive Academy

11.          Rietvale

10.          Freedom Park

9.             Eric Nxumalo

8.             Cloetesville

7.             Benny’s Sports Academy

6.             Okiep

5.         Mondale

Ends.

About the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup:

·       The tournament is run under the auspices of the South Africa Football Association (SASFA)

   Named after prominent businessman Patrice Motsepe’s late mother, the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup offers the biggest prize money at school level in Africa (R3.4 million in total). 

·       The sponsors are:  Sanlam, the Motsepe Foundation and the Sanlam Ubuntu-Botho Community Development Trust.

·       The primary objective of the tournament is to revive the culture of school football amongst students between the age of 16 and 19 years old.

·       The tournament also gives players the opportunity to showcase their skills to soccer scouts with the talented players being recruited into development structures to be nurtured and shaped into professional players.

Sundowns Academy player shines at Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup National Finals

Khayelihle Shozi, the 19 year old striker from Clapham High School, and in the Mamelodi Sundowns Academy, has scored 8 goals in four games making him the top goalscorer at the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup national finals happening at the King Zwelithini Stadium, Umlazi, Durban. Clapham beat Harmony, from the Free State, 1 – 0 today to top Group B with one more game to go.

It was touch and go as to whether Shozi would even travel to Durban with the team as he has been out of action for three months due to injury.  But he was tested just prior to departure and declared fit and has made a mark for himself.

Shozi hails from Pinetown and was brought to Mamelodi Sundowns in 2010 by his mentor, Mabhuti Khanyeza , a renowned player who was with Sundowns and now with Mpumalanga Black Aces.   “I played for Rockers FC, owned by Mabhuti, since I was 6 years old,” he said. “He took me in and groomed me into what I am today.  Not many kids from Klarotha get the chance to be mentored by a professional and then be part of an academy like Sundowns.  My biggest problem is that I am not the best academic and Sundowns demand good results as well as good football.”

The youngster, now in Grade 11 at Clapham, is pleased with his performance in the tournament to date.  “Scoring the goals is a morale booster for me, as well as the team, and it has inspired me to do even better,” however he admits to feeling a bit weary after playing three hard games yesterday and will play two again today. 

“Before I left home I set a goal, and that was to win the highest goalscorer and player of the tournament awards.  I am on the way, but we still have two days of football ahead of us and there are some excellent players here so it will not be easy,” said Shozi. 

Clapham won their first game against FK Tjiane (Limpopo) 9 – 1, then beat Rietvale (Northern Cape) 6 – 0 ending the day with a 1 – 0 lead against Freedom Park (North West). The second day saw them beat Harmony (Free State) 1 – 0 to top the log.  Their final league game will pit them against Sebetwane (North West). 

“Each and every game was a tough one and we have had to work hard for our wins,” said Shozi.  “What really has helped is being part of the Sundowns Academy.  We get to play against the first team every month and we learn a lot about confidence, self discipline, respect, technical play and striving to do your best in every game.  We have put all these lessons into practise this week. ”

As a striker Shozi is always looking for ways to improve his game and different scoring tactics.  “Having someone of Mabhuti’s calibre as a mentor has helped give me the confidence to test out new tactics in games.  I am picking his brains now on how to get to, and stay, at the top of your game.  While I am doing well, I have been through three very difficult months being injured and not playing.  That is one of the most difficult positions to be in and you lose confidence and morale.  This tournament has helped me get back up there.”

His ultimate goal is to play for Mamelodi Sundowns first team.  If he maintains his performance throughout this tournament he believes the coach will get wind of his talents and perhaps his goal will be achieved sooner than expected.

The Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup is currently underway at the King Zwelithini Stadium, Umlazi, Durban.  The 18 participating schools will complete the League today.  Thursday will see the play-offs and the third/fourth play-off will take place at 10am on Friday, followed by live performances by

Naima-K, Professor and Big Nuz.  The final will kick-off at 12pm.

About the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup:

·       The tournament is run under the auspices of the South Africa Football Association (SASFA)

   Named after prominent businessman Patrice Motsepe’s late mother, the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup offers the biggest prize money at school level in Africa (R3.4 million in total). 

·       The sponsors are:  Sanlam, the Motsepe Foundation and the Sanlam Ubuntu-Botho Community Development Trust.

·       The primary objective of the tournament is to revive the culture of school football amongst students between the age of 16 and 19 years old.

·       The tournament also gives players the opportunity to showcase their skills to soccer scouts with the talented players being recruited into development structures to be nurtured and shaped into professional players.

Academies have topped the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup National Final Groups

The final round robin games of the Sanlam Kay Motsepe took place at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, Durban today with Rosina Sedibane, Louis Botha Technical College, and Clapham College topping their group. The play-offs will commence tomorrow.  

For Gauteng’s Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School things are going according to plan.  “So far so good,” said coach, Tumelo Molabo, but he warns his team that more goals need to be scored if they wish to progress further. “The team I brought this year is young and inexperienced, but have been playing together for a few years now so know each other well.  I can see them getting more and more confident as the days progress.  We ended our League matches by beating Welebasha (KZN) 5 – 0. The boys have shown a determination to win and they are not scared of any team.” 

Rosina has not lost a game in the national finals to date and have scored 9 goals, conceding one goal against Executive Academy (EC).

The team Rosina is hoping to meet in the tournament is fellow provincial winners, Clapham, who have done exceptionally well this year.  “They beat us in the provincial final, but we are ready to redeem ourselves and they better watch out.  Last year we finished the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup in fourth position and we want to take first position this year,” said Molabo, who admits that the fact that most of the players belong to the SuperSport United Academy also helps.

Key Player for Rosina this year is Thabo Mile, who has scored 2 goals for the school.  The 19 year old Grade 11 pupil has just rejoined the team after suffering a foot injury .  “I thought that I would not be able to adjust after my injury,” said Mile, “but surprisingly I adjusted and am happy with my performance and it proves that I am on form again.”

Mile joined the SuperSport United Academy in 2009 and is grateful for the opportunity offered to him and the time the club and school has spent on him to improve his football as well as help him get a better grasp on life.  “It is amazing how life works.  My father wanted my brother to progress with his soccer career, but he decided he didn’t want to make soccer his life.  My father has since died and I am the one that is progressing in soccer. It is a pity he can’t see me now.”

Gauteng’s Clapham High School finished top of Group B winning all their matches with an impressive 18 goals conceding only one, against rivals, Harmony (Free State).

Newcomers, Louis Botha Technical High School from Bloemfontein, Free State finished top of Group C, winning their final round robin match against Ndamase (EC) 6 – 0, with Boipelo Segwaba scoring 4 goals.  The team managed to knock 12 goals into the net conceding only one.

Fixtures for the third day of play are still to be announced.

Results: East High 0 vs Louis Botha 1

                Goal:  Sizwe Duba

Okiep 1 vs Ndamase 0

                Goal:  Duncan V.D. Heever

Eric Nxumalo 3 vs Benny’s Sport Academy 2

                Goals:  EN:  Sydney Moyane, Adriot Mathebula, Silence Mashaba

                BC:  Alton Kapinga (2)

Mondale 1  vs  Cloetesville 1

                Goals:  Mon:  Dean Brandon (Kyle wheeler sent off for foul in penalty box)

                Cloet:  Curvin Williams

Welabasha 0  vs Sibongumusa1

                Goal:  Sihle Ndlovu

Executive Academy 1 vs Rosina Sedibane 1

                Goals:  EA: Zolani Malahla

                RS:  Skhumbuzo Mazibuko

Clapham 1 v Harmony 0

                Goal:  Khayelihle Shozi

Rietvale 0 v Freedom Park 1

                Goal: Bakang Monchwe

Sebetwane 0 v FK Tjiane 2

                Goals:  Dumisani Shongwe, Raymond Moroko

Benny’s Sport 1 v Okiep 0

                Goal:  Duncan VD Heever

Louis Botha 4 v Eric Nxumalo 0

                Goals:  Biopelo Segwaba, Aaron Mzethu, George Mlalele, Ernest Mabathoana

East High 6 v Ndamase 0

                Goals:  Muzi Thabotha (2), Siyabonga Sibiya (3), Bojosi Manjoe

Welabasha 0 v Rosina Sedibane 5

                Goals:  Lucky Gilbert, Zama Rambuwane, Thabo Mile, Sifiso Nkosi, Kwanele Zulu

Executive Academy 0 v Mondale 2

                Goals:  Dillan Fransch (2)

Cloetesville 2 v Sibongemusa 1

                Goals:  Cloet:  Regan Rhode, Wandile Yapi

                Sib: Sbonelo Sibiya

Rietvale 2 v FK Tjiane 1

                Goals:  Riet:  Horatio Mokwane, Maxwell Maarman

                Tj:  Obrey Mokwana

Sebetwane 0  v Clapham 1

                Goal:  Percy Tau

Harmony 1 v Freedom Park 0

                Goal:  Reginald Tsoela

Louis Botha 6 v Ndamase 0

                Goals:  Boipelo Segwaba (4), Ernest Mabathoana, Phatsimo Litseho

East High 3  v Benny’s Sport1

                Goals:  EH:  Siyabonga Sibiya (2), Thembumenzi Ngomane,

                BS:  Eethe Khaukanani

Okiep 3 v Eric Nxumalo 2

                Goals:  OK: Gian De Jongh, Duncan VD Heever (2)

                EN:  Fumani Mathebula, Sydney Moyane

About the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup:

·       The tournament is run under the auspices of the South Africa Football Association (SASFA)

   Named after prominent businessman Patrice Motsepe’s late mother, the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup offers the biggest prize money at school level in Africa (R3.4 million in total). 

·       The sponsors are:  Sanlam, the Motsepe Foundation and the Sanlam Ubuntu-Botho Community Development Trust.

·       The primary objective of the tournament is to revive the culture of school football amongst students between the age of 16 and 19 years old.

·       The tournament also gives players the opportunity to showcase their skills to soccer scouts with the talented players being recruited into development structures to be nurtured and shaped into professional players.

Clapham, assisted by Sundowns and the Sono Family, make waves at the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup National finals

The school that has made the biggest impression on the first day of the U-19 Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools cup, happening at the King Zwelithini Stadium, Umlazi, Durban, is Clapham College from Pretoria.  The school, that educates the youngsters from the Mamelodi Sundowns Football Academy, won their first game against FK Tijiane from Limpopo 9 – 1, then 6 - 0 against Rietvale from the Northern Cape ending the day with a 1 – 0 win against Freedom Park to top Group B.

Besides the support of Mamelodi Sundowns, the team is coached by Rhulani Mokwena,  an ex professional footballer who played for his uncle, Jomo Sono.   “My father, Julia KK Sono, was a renowned footballer for Orlando Pirates and Jomo Cosmos and between him and Jomo they have played a major role in the way I approach the game,  which I am now passing on to these youngsters.”

He admits that the success on the first day does not mean they have won the tournament.  “I am pleased with the team’s performance, but we need to improve in every game and in this way we will continue to get results. There was no easy game today and by the third game we were tired.  The boys will rest and go back into action tomorrow, playing every game as a final.”

On the same points as Clapham in Group B is Harmony from Virginia in the Free State.  Clapham topped the group on goal difference, 16 as opposed to 12.

Cloetesville from the Western Cape were leading Group A but lost to Rosina Sedibane from Gauteng to place them second. 

Group C sees East High from Mpumalanga ahead with Benny’s Sports Academy in second place, despite their 9 – 0 win over Ndamase from the Eastern Cape.

The final league games will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, with the final play-offs on Thursday culminating with the third/fourth play-off at 10am on Friday followed by performances by Naima Kay, Professor and Big Nuz and then the final game.

RESULTS:  DAY 1 (24 September 2013)

1.            Welabasha 0   vs  Cloetesville 1

                Goal:  Regan Rhode

2.            Sibongumusa 0 vs Executive Academy 1

                Goal:  Sive Klaushe

3.            Rosina Sedibane   1 v Mondale 0

                Goal:  Thabo Mile

4.            Rietvale  0 vs Harmony 3

                Goals:  Tsheo Mogorosi (2), Reginald Tsoela

5.            Freedom Park 0 vs Sebetwane 0

6.            FK Tijiane 1 vs Clapham 9

                Goal:  FK:  Dumisane Shongwe (captain)

7.            Louis Botha 2 vs   Okiep 0

                Goals:  Charlie Hlalele (2)

8.            Eric Nxumalo 1 vs East High 2

                Goals:  EN:  Fumani Mathabela

                EH: Siyabonga Sibiya, Muzi Thabatha

9.            Ndamase 0  vs Benny’s Care 9

Goals:  Matuka Kabota (2), Khuliso Mudau, Eethe Khaukanani (3), Lfentswe Mungadziwa, Alton Lesedi, own goal

10.          Mondale 2 vs Welabasha 1

                Goals:  M: Gavin Saayman, Dillan Fransch

                W: Siyabonga Mkhize

11.          Rosina Sedibane   1 vs  Sibongumusa 0

                Goal:  Motsiri Moshoma

12.          Cloetesville 4 vs Executive Academy 1

                Goals:  CL:  Antonio Lewis (2), Curvin  Williams, Jason Clayton (captain)

                EA: Zolani <Malahla

13.          Clapham 6 vs Rietvale 0

                Goals:  Percy Tau (2), Khayelihle Shozi (3), Motoro Monyai

14.          FK Tijiane 0 vs  Freedom park 0

15.          Harmony 3 vs Sebetwane 0

                Goals:  Mpho Moepetsane, Abram Morake, Tshepiso Lobelo

16.          Benny’s Care 1 vs  Louis Botha 1

                Goals:  LB: Freddie Hlalele

                BC:  Khuliso Mudau

17.          Ndamase 0 vs Eric Nxumalo 1

                Goal:  Fumani Mathebula

18.          Okiep 0 vs East High 3

                Goals: EH:  Muzi Thabotha, Moffat Nkuna, Thembumenzi Ngomane

19.          Welabasha 0 vs  Executive Academy 1

                Goal:  Siphiwe Giften

20.          Cloetesville 0 vs Rosina Sedibane 1

                Goals:  Sifiso Nkosi

21.          Mondale 2 vs Sibongumusa 0

                Goals:  Adrian Jaftha, Ricardo Vorster

22.          Rietvale  1 vs Sebetwane 1

                Goals:  Riet:  Angelo Van Rooi

                Seb: Itumeleng Mosikare

23.          Harmony 6 vs FK Tijiane 0

                Goals:  Tiisetso Noosi, Molelekoa Motaung (2), Reginald Tsoela, Buti Mokele, Mpho Mosoang

24.          Freedom Park 0 vs Clapham 1

                Own goal

About the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup:

·       The tournament is run under the auspices of the South Africa Football Association (SASFA)

   Named after prominent businessman Patrice Motsepe’s late mother, the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup offers the biggest prize money at school level in Africa (R3.4 million in total). 

·       The sponsors are:  Sanlam, the Motsepe Foundation and the Sanlam Ubuntu-Botho Community Development Trust.

·       The primary objective of the tournament is to revive the culture of school football amongst students between the age of 16 and 19 years old.

·       The tournament also gives players the opportunity to showcase their skills to soccer scouts with the talented players being recruited into development structures to be nurtured and shaped into professional players.