Teams invited to participate in the Danone Nations Cup for the first time

The under-12 Danone Nations Cup soccer tournament is in its 15^th year now and, the organisers – the SA Schools Football Association (SASFA) - and the sponsors have decided to try something new in order to broaden the reach of what is already the biggest soccer competition for kids between 10 and 12 in the land.

This year, in a pilot project, four schools in each of the KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and Gauteng provinces will be invited to the provincial finals playoffs, to compete with the teams that have qualified through the system of cluster, district and regional playoffs.

The invited schools are all traditional soccer institutions who have never entered the Danone Nations Cup in the past and who follow their own soccer programmes in their particular local areas.

So far, the four schools that will be playing with the 12 provincial winners in the KwaZulu-Natal provincial finals at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont on Saturday May 16^th have been announced. They are: Highbury Preparatory School, Westville Senior Primary School, Pinetown Senior Primary and New Germany Primary School.

Highbury Preparatory School is 112 years old and is a boys-only school. They offer a range of sports and excel in athletics, cricket, hockey, rugby, swimming, hockey having produced many sports stars that have gone on to play their particular sport at a provincial level.

Sport is compulsory at the school and the students have to participate in at least one sport each term.

Mr Knowledge Vilakazi, the team’s manager, said that competing in the Danone Nations Cup is exciting and motivational for the soccer players.  “We compete in our local leagues and play friendly matches against our neighbours and this opportunity is now taking soccer in our school to a different level.”

The entire school is buzzing about being given this opportunity and Vilakazi says he has suddenly seen an increase in the number of students that now want to play soccer.  “We are looking forward to participating and it has increased the awareness of soccer in the school.”

Vilakazi admits that, besides the other three invitational teams, who they play against, he doesn’t know a lot about the other 12 teams he will be facing.  “I have been following the tournament from a distance and I must congratulate Danone on a great job they are doing in getting the kids involved in sport. By participating in this tournament we are exposing the kids to competitive soccer at a higher level and also to different styles and skills,” Vilakazi said. It’s going to be a great experience for the team and they will learn a lot from other schools.”

Those views are echoed by Westville Senior Primary School coach Yagenderan Pillay.

Sport is a high priority at the school and they have 7 cricket teams, 12 rugby teams and 13 soccer teams. Cricket and rugby have traditionally been the high priority sports but over the years soccer has grown dramatically.

Pillay is eager to see how it goes in the Danone Nations Cup and this will help him decide whether to participate in the tournament on a regular basis in the future.

The players at Westville are all involved in other sports, so they only get to train 1 hour every day, but that has been increased now that the provincial finals are coming up.

“We want our kids exposed to playing with other schools, so we are thrilled that we were invited to participate this year. The players are really looking forward to playing at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium, it’s a huge stadium and they want to see themselves on that field.

“They know about the possibility of going to Morocco, the ultimate prize for the eventual national champions, and they are eager to win the provincial title and travel to Gauteng for the national finals,” concluded Pillay.

ends

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

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Limpopo School progresses in the 2015 Danone Nations Cup

Benny’s Sports Development Academy of the Vhembe District, Makhado in Limpopo are about to enter the inter-circuit phase of the under-12 Danone Nations Cup soccer competition and, under new coach, Mbishi Mokoena, they are confident of going far in the competition this year.

Benny’s have been playing in the tournament since 2010 and only once – in 2013 – did they get as far as the district finals.

What has changed this year is the school has appointed a specialist coach to take care of the junior players (in the past they had one coach for all the age groups).

Mbishi Mokoena will take care of the under-12, under-13 and under-14 teams at the school, and has already made a difference with the under-12s, who won their zonal games quite easily, scoring seven goals in one of them.

The new coach has been impressed with his players so far. “Andries Mokgwethega has scored 3 goals out of the 8 the team scored so far, and we also have Tshimagatdzo Mokwevho. He only scored 1 goal but he assisted other players to score. I believe that those players will take the team to the nationals,” he said.

Mokoena believes passion is the key to being a successful coach. “Coaching is not just instructing players on the field, it’s about building and maintaining a relationship with different players,” he said. “You need to have the heart for it.”

Skills and experience are also required. “You need to have experienced playing soccer in order to be a coach. You can’t teach players something you don’t know about.”

While this is Mokoena’s first time coaching the under-12 team, he has done his homework before entering the Danone Nations Cup.   “I had the opportunity of watching last year’s under-12 team play and I noticed that they lacked the basics and the team was all over the field with no structure. This year we have gone back to the basics of soccer. The team has since grasped the concept and I have definitely seen a change in them. “

The challenge for Mokoena is the different roles he has to play. “The players are all boarding at the school and don’t have their parents around them, so I have to be a father figure to all of them at the same time. It’s an adjustment for me, but I am gradually getting used to the fact that I have to play different roles to the boys.”

Mokoena said the reason he got involved in coaching was to develop and nature young players’ talents and he wants to be known for developing some of the best players in the world. “I don’t see myself coaching a PSL team, I see myself coaching internationally recognised academies. 10 years from now I still want to be focussing on the development phase in soccer, coaching u-13. I believe that age group is open and willing to learn as opposed to older players who think they know everything about soccer “

Mokoena got his players to Google the Danone Nations Cup Soccer Tournament to find out more about it and to see what it is they are playing for.

“When they saw what last’s year’s winners experienced, it got them more and more excited about winning this tournament. I think that Danone is doing a great job in giving these players a chance to travel to in different parts of the world and to play a sport that they love.”

Ends

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

2013 North West Provincial Winners Register for 2014 Danone Nations Cup

DP Kgotleng Primary School, in Mmbatho in the Ngaka Modiri Molema region of North West Province, emerged as the 2013 under-12 Danone Nations Cup provincial winners and is one of the first schools to have registered for 2014.

According to team manager and coach, Isaac Choeu, they have registered for the 2014 tournament and training has begun. “We train twice a week for now but as soon the competition starts we will increase our training days,” he said. “We have not played any games against other schools yet, but that will happen in a couple of weeks’ time.”

DP Kgotleng is going into the tournament with an entirely new team as all of the 2013 players have moved on, but Choeu says they believe in the new team and are working very hard at training. “I cannot say yet how the team will perform as it is still early days, but I can say that there are some areas we need to improve. What helps is that the team is energised and eager, which is a good start. Knowing that the winning team will go to Brazil for the World Finals this year is a great motivating factor for the kids.”

This year is the first year that Choeu will be coaching the team and the challenge, he says, is the fact that they are not disciplined in terms of honouring training time. “I’m sure they will soon adapt to the demands of being in a soccer team.  I want them to have fun and remember what I have taught them and implement that on the field when they play,” he said. “I also tell them that soccer can be a career path if they are dedicated and love soccer. Every professional soccer players in the PSL started where they are now and they can also reach the same level if they have a passion and are devoted to the game.”

Choeu believes that every team is different and they all play differently, but he thinks they can make the national finals again, and this time he wants the team to win the Danone Nations Cup national title and go on to compete in the World Finals in Brazil later this year. “However, just being part of the tournament is a highlight on its own,” he says. “When the boys leave school they will always remember participating in the tournament as one of the highlights of their primary school life.”

Winning the North West provincial finals last year, after participating in the tournament since its inception, was great for the school. “Those players are proud of the fact that they were the first team in the school to win the provincial title,” Choeu said. He says the school has set the bar high and every school in the region is out to beat them. It’s not going to be easy to retain the trophy, they are not expecting an easy ride.

YOUNGSTER TO HELP SCHOOL IN THE DANONE NATIONS CUP MPUMALANGA PROVINCIAL FINAL

Nkosiyazi Nhleko is a 12-year old A student at Zandile Combined School located in Buffelspruit, near Malelane in Mpumalanga, and he is something special. He helped his school’s under-12 team to qualify for the Mpumalanga provincial finals in the Danone Nations Cup and should they win there, he will be making a trip to Johannesburg for the national finals in June. The winners there will be going to London in September to play in the Danone Nations Cup World finals. Nkosiyazi’s achievements are special because he is an orphan who lives at the Silwanendlala Home Based Care Centre.

He is one of a number of children at the home who have either been abandoned by their parents or have lost them at a tender age. Simphiwe Thwala, manager of the Zandile Combined School football team, explains that the community helps the children by donating school uniforms and delegating a team of people to cook and feed them. Thwala explains that many of the children at the school are orphans who survive on grants and feeding schemes at school, yet they choose to come to school and participate in the Danone Nations Cup tournament.

Nkosiyazi is just one of the players that Thwala will be looking at to perform at the provincial championships. The others are: goalkeeper, Lubisi Bandile; strikers Lubisi Siphosethu, Zama Nkosingphile and Sbiya Lungelo and midfielders Zulu Malizole and Ntokozo Fakudze. Lubisi Siphosethu's father was a famous striker for a local team called Nhlambanyathi Rovers FC and Lubisi has inherited his father's skills. Sbiya Lungelo's father was a defender for a team called Home Defender in the 80s.

Zandile Combined School has been participated in the Danone Nations Cup tournament for the last six years and this is the second time they have progressed to the provincial finals. “We are hoping to do even do better this year,” says Thwala, “but I am pleased with the boys for making it this far,”

Thwala says they are working hard ahead of the provincial finals. “We train for an hour and a half on Mondays and Fridays, and take advantage of our sports day on Wednesdays which we use to identify areas that need to be improved,” he said. Zandile Combined School has been going for 40 years andl offers sports like netball, soccer and indigenous games. “Our main focus is on encouraging kids to grow in sports regardless of the situations they face at home,” Thwala said.

Two of Zandile’s past students - Thembinkosi Vascus Ngwenya and Lucas Thwala went on to play for teams in the PSL. Thembinkosi is now playing for the Platinum Stars development team while Lucas Thwala plays for SuperSport United. Both players were hard workers who took part in the Danone Nations Cup as under-12s. Thwala says they sometimes come to help at the school by motivating the kids at school and even assist with training when they are free.

For Groupe Danone, the Nations Cup tournament is all about giving young players the opportunity 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.

NORTH WEST HOSTS DANONE NATIONS CUP PROVINCIAL FINALS

The search for the U-12 School soccer team that will represent South Africa in the Danone Nations Cup World Finals in London, England in September continues on Saturday, 4 May, when North West hosts their provincial finals at the Matlosana Stadium in Klerksdorp.  The games begin at 9am with the final at 2pm.

The winner on Saturday will then travel to Johannesburg in June to compete in the National Finals. The regional winners that will play in the provincial finals are: Agisanang Public School (Dr Kenneth Kaunda Region); Tlaseng Primary School (Bojanala Region); DP Kgotleng Primary School (Ngaka Modiri Molema Region) and Educar Primary School (Dr Segomotsi Mompati Region).

This will be the second time Tlaseng Primary School, situated in Tlaseng village, about 30km from Rustenburg, will be playing in the provincial finals. Coach Arthur Rapoo said the team won all their games at cluster and regional level and are training hard for Saturday:  “We train for an hour and half each day, but my challenge is that some youngsters have to leave early to catch a bus home and four of my players are with the Platinum Stars football Academy, and they have to be at their training session at 3pm each day.”

Rapoo singles out defender Thato Mpete, team captain and midfielder Siyabonga Sibanyoni, and striker Thabiso Mokgothu as their key players. “Siyabonga was part of last year’s squad and his knowledge and experience has helped the team a lot.”

Agisanang Public School has a good squad of players this year and stand a good chance of getting to the national finals.  The school has competed in the Danone Nations Cup for five years and this will be their first time in the provincial finals. Team manager Tshepo Mogapi said they are following the same training schedule they used when competing in the cluster and regional levels.  “It’s our first provincial final experience so I don’t know what to expect,” said Mogapi. “So I did not want to change the routine and tactics as this might confuse the players.”

The team will be looking to midfielders Katlego Boareng and Kgothatso Mogami to perform for them, Mogapi says. “They are the fastest boys in my team and I need them to win the ball and run with it, and to supply the strikers.”

Both teams admit that the possibility of a trip to London makes a big difference in the determination of the players who want to experience the fun and camaraderie of playing against different countries, which is what the Danone Nations Cup is all about.

YOUNG STUDENT EARNS A TRIP TO POLAND AS A FIRST STEP TOWARDS HIS DREAM OF PLAYING FOOTBALL IN RUSSIA

Sanele Buthelezi is a midfielder-come-striker who is confident with the ball at his feet, who puts in clever runs, and who finishes off the chances that come his way.

And now he is going to get the opportunity to show off those skills on a world stage as part of the Sinamuva Public Primary School football team that was crowned the Danone Nations Cup South Africa champions in June after a tough four months of qualifications.

The team’s reward is a trip to Warsaw, Poland in September to participate in the 2012 Danone Nations Cup World Finals, along with 39 other countries.

Sanele hails from Imbali Township in Pietermaritzburg, and he started playing football back in 2005 when he was six years old.

In grade 2 he made his school’s athletics team and even represented the KwaZulu-Natal province. After those national championships he asked the football coach, Mr Khoane, if he could train with the team as the athletics season was over and before long he joined the team permanently.

Sanele sees Mamelodi Sundowns’ Teko Modise as a player he looks up to. “He plays my style of football and, coincidentally I wore his jersey number (8) at the Danone National Finals,” he said.

A person who has inspired Sanele is his maths teacher Ms Mamthi. “She always advises us to work hard, to be ambitious and have self-discipline,” he said

Sanele hopes to study mechanical engineering one day, and says that besides football, he also loves writing and dreams of being one of South Africa’s best-known writers in the future.

“My biggest dream, however, is of building a decent house for my family because we currently live in one bedroom shack. If I do pursue my football career I would love to play in Russia and earn enough to do that.”

“My mom, Nozipho Buthelezi works as a cashier at a local supermarket and she does her best to support me and my four siblings,” she is my inspiration and motivation.”

Sanele says the Provincials Finals were the hardest stage of the Danone Nations Cup for his team.

“I think teamwork pulled us through the preliminary rounds of the provincial finals. We struggled in our first two games and in the final we got the equalising goal in the last minute and went on to win 2-1 on penalties.”

“Playing in the Danone Cup National Finals has given me more confidence. I have learned that I can believe in my dreams. The tournament taught me to be more motivated in life.”

“Winning the National Finals and getting visit from Neil Tovey, who coached us at the school were experiences I will never forget.”

“This has brought great recognition to our school,” he said. “I can’t wait to get on the plane for Poland.”

FIRST TIME DANONE NATIONS CUP PARTICIPANTS BECOME PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONS

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Keidebees Primary School from the Siyanda Region were crowned the Northern Cape Danone Nations Cup football Provincial champions after beating Kareeville Primary School from Pixley Ka Seme Region 3 – 2 on penalties at the Pabalelo Stadium in Upington last weekend.

This is an excellent achievement for a school that has been following the tournament from the side lines for a number of years not being in a position to participate due to no facilities.  “We never had a football field or kit so could never participate,” said Keidebees Primary School coach, Albert Schalkwyk.  “This year we made an arrangement with the nearby football club, Upington United, for the use of their fields on weekends.  During the week we train on a piece of ground behind the classrooms.”

Schalkwyk singled out 11 year-old team captain, Rolan Issack, as key to the team’s success.  Issack led by example and scoring five goals on the day.  “We have only been playing football for a couple of months and we needed a captain so I asked the team to select one and the choice was Rolan. One of the key reasons for entering the Danone Nations Cup was to give the youngsters match practise and get their confidence up, never did I image we would win,” said an excited Schalkwyk.  .  “Now we are on our way to Gauteng to play in the National Finals which is another first.  Never has any member of the team, or myself for that matter, travelled outside our Region.”

But Schalkwyk admitted his team did not have an easy ride.  "The standard of football was high and the youngsters had to concentrate hard and play their hearts out.  The final went to penalties which we are not used to, but we won in the end and can celebrate – for now.  Next week we start preparing for the National Finals so I will have to step up the training schedule.”

No school from the Northern Cape has won through to the Danone Nations Cup World Finals. Robanyane Primary School represented the Province in the 2011 National Finals finishing in 8^th position.

Keidebees will join Chakaza Primary School (Mpumalanga), Kgwahlele Primary (Limpopo), Atamela Primary (North West),  Bochabela Primary(Free State) and Sinamuva Primary (KZN) in the National Finals.  There are three Provincial Finals still to take place after which all 9 winners will compete to represent South Africa at the World Finals in Warsaw, Poland between 6 – 9 September. 

RESULTS – NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCIAL FINALS

POOL A

 Keidebees Primary School (Siyanda Region)

Moholeng Primary School (Dr John Taole Region)

Dr Izak Van Niekerk Primary School (Namaqualand Region)

Kareeville Primary School (Pixley Ka Seme Region)

Kim-Kgolo Primary School (Francis Baard Region)

RESULTS

Keidebees Primary School 1 vs Moholeng Primary School 0  

Dr Izak Van Niekerk Primary School 1 vs Kareeville Primary School 0

Kim-Kgolo Primary School 0 vs Keidebees Primary School 2

Moholeng Primary School 1 vs Dr Izak Van Niekerk Primary School 0

Kareeville Primary School 3 vs Kim-Kgolo Primary School 4

Keidebees Primary School 2 vs Dr Izak Van Niekerk 0

Moholeng Primry School 1 vs  Kareeville Primary School

Dr Izak Van Niekerk 1 vs Kim-Kgolo Primary School 0

Kareeville Primary School 0 (1) vs Keidebees Primary School 0 (2)

Kim-Kgolo Primary School 0 vs Moholeng Primary School 1

FINAL LOG POSITION

1^{st –} Keidebees Primary School – 10pts

2^nd – Kareeville Primary School – 7 pts

3^rd – Moholeng Primary School – 6 pts

4^th – Dr Izak Van Niekert Primary School – 6 pts

5^th – Kim-Kgolo Primary School – 0 pts

FINAL

Keidebees Primary School 0 (2) vs Kareeville Primary School 0 (0)

Seventh time lucky for Bochabela Primary School who were crowned Free State Danone Nations Cup Provincial Champions

Bochabela Primary School from the Motheo region will represent Free State at the Danone Nations Cup National football Finals in June. The school beat favourites, Zamaleka Primary School from Fezile Dabi Region 3 – 2 on penalties at the Clive Solomon Stadium, Mangaung on 5 May to become the Provincial champions.

 Freddy Mogoera, Bochabela coach, was not surprised at his team’s achievement:  “Since our first outing in the Danone Nations Cup in 2006 we knew that the trophy would come to us one day.  It has taken a couple of years but our dreams have come true.  Now we will knuckle down and prepare for the next step, the National Finals.”

The same sentiments were felt by team manager, Padi Kgaile.  “I have never seen these boys more confident and excited as they are now,” said the Grade 3 Life Skills and English teacher. Kgaile credited the coach for the win.  “He has done a wonderful job with the boys. He is a tenacious man and never lets anything get him down. He worked hard to get the youngsters in shape. What also worked against him was that our school is situated in a poor area and facilities are not good, but he did not let this get him down.”

Mogoera’s journey with Bochabela Primary Schools began six years ago after he was elected as chairperson of the SGB.  He decided to introduce football into the school as an extra mural activity and did this via a program called Eagles United.  The key objective was to encourage the youngsters to explore their natural talent.  Within 6 months there were 24 youngsters who wanted to play football, and with no formal coaching background he started Bochabela Primary School football club and has since never looked back.

Striker, Kabelo Buyapi is among those Mogoera helped.  From an early he indentified this youngster as gifted and this year Buyapi has scored 15 goals making him the top goal scorer.  The 11 year- old Grade 7 pupil praised his coach as a superb motivator:  “Coach always tells me to use every opportunity I get and constantly reminds us that good results mean we are growing.”

In 2011 Mofulatshepe Primary School represented Free State in the National Finals finishing in 4^th position. Time will tell as to whether Bochabela Primary School can better this.

Bochabela will now join Chakaza Primary from Mpumalanga, Sinamuva Primary School (KwaZulu-Natal), Atamela Primary (North West), Kgwahlele Primary School (Limpopo) in the National Finals. There are still four Provinces to host their Finals, the next will be the Northern Cape on 12 May at Pabalelo Stadium in Upington.

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RESULTS – FREE STATE PROVINCIAL FINALS

POOL A

Lehakwe Primary School (Lejweleputsa Region)

Botle Ba Thuto Primary School (Xhariep Region)

Selogilwe Primary School (Privilege Region)

Fateng sa Thuto Primary School (Thabo Mofutsanyana Region)

Bochabela Primary School (Motheo Region)

Zamaleka Primary School (Fezile Dabi Region)

RESULTS

Lehakwe Primary School 0 vs Botle Ba Thuto Primary School 2  

Selogilwe Primary School 0 vs Fateng sa Thuto Primary School 1

Bochabela Primary School 0 vs Zamaleka Primary School 1

Lehakwe Primary School 1 vs Selogilwe Primary School 0

Botle Ba Thuto Primary School 0 vs Fateng sa Thuto School 1

Bochabela Primary School 2 vs Lehakwe Primary School 0

Zamaleka Primary School 1 vs Selogilwe Primary School 0

Botle Ba Thuto Primary School 0 vs Bochabela Primary School 2

Fateng sa Thuto Primary School 0 (4) vs Ndongeni Primary School 0 (3)

Zamaleka Primary School 2 vs Botle Ba Thuto Primary School 0

Selogilwe Primary School 0 vs Bochabela Primary School 1

Zamaleka Primary School 0 (3) vs Fateng sa Thuto Primary School 0 (1)

Botle Ba Thuto Primary School 0 (4) vs Selogilwe Primary School 0 (3)

Lehakwe Primary School 1 vs Zamaleka Primary School 0

Fateng sa Thuto 0 (7) vs Bochabela Primary School 0 (8)

FINAL

1^st in Pool - Zamaleka Primary School 0 (2) vs 2^nd in Pool – Bochabela Primary School 0 (3)

FREE STATE SCHOOLS COMPETE FOR A CHANCE TO PLAY FOOTBALL IN POLAND

On 5^th May six primary schools in the Free State will battle it out for the one spot to represent the Province in the Danone Nations Cup National Finals.  The ultimate winner will represent South Africa in the football 13^th Danone Nations Cup World Finals in Poland later in the year.

The Clive Solomon Stadium will be the venue where the six competing teams will converge.  Botle-Ba-Thuto Primary School from Xhariep district will compete in the Free State Provincial finals for the first time.  The team got there after beating Mofulatshepe Primary School 9-1 in the district finals.

”I’m so happy we won and I hope I will continue scoring goals in the Provincial finals,” said Botle-Ba-Thuto striker, Bokang Moneri, who scored 4 of the 9 goals.

The Harasebei township based school has been training 2 hours a day which coach, Mr Mareko, believes is the reason the team did well:  “Our hard work paid off.  I am so proud of my boys.  We are at a disadvantage in that we do not have the necessary equipment and facilities to prepare properly so my strategy was to just focus on team work.  Getting to the Provincial finals in our first attempt at this prestigious tournament is a dream come true,” said Mareko.

Botle-Ba-Thuto Primary will have stiff competition from the likes of Lehakwe Primary School from Lejwelepupswa district, a team that is just as determined to get to the National finals.  Players to look out for include goalkeeper Kamohelo Koporoka, who is well known for his brilliant saves and great ball distribution, defender Mpho Khatlako and midfielders Kamohelo Gabelo and Lebohang Nhlakobe.

“South African football is short of goalkeepers and I believe with the experience that I am getting by playing in the Danone Nations Cup will teach me good habits while I am young which will help me as I progress through the different age groups and one day I hope to play professionally,” said Koporoka.

Fateng Sa Thuto Primary school from Thabo Mofutsanyana district will also participate in the Provincials together with a school from Fezile Dabi district and two schools from the host Region, Mangaung Metro district.

The Free State winner will join Chakaza Primary School (Mpumalanga), Sinamuva Primary School (KwaZulu-Natal), Atamela Primary School (North West) and Kgwahlele Primary School (Limpopo) all of which have already qualified for the National Finals taking place at Central Grounds, Mamelodi, Gauteng on 23 June.

The School representing South Africa at the Danone Nations Cup World Finals in Spain will be known on 9 July at Eldorado Park

With the National Finals of the Danone Nations Cup around the corner, the nine teams that have made it through the qualifying stages of the competition are putting in their final training sessions in preparation for the 9 July.   The ultimate prize for the team that wins is a trip to Spain from 5 to 10 October to compete in the Danone Nations Cup World Finals with 39 other countries.

Approximately 2 000 schools registered to compete in the tournament.  Knockout competitions have been happening around the country since February and it is now down to just nine school teams, or 126 youngsters, who will be converging on the Eldorado Park Stadium to compete in the National Finals.  Games kick-off at 8.30am. 

It’s about pride, believes Eric Busakwe. Busakwe is the coach of Phakamisani Primary, the team that won the Western Cape Provincial leg of the 2011 Danone Nations Cup. Phakamisani has taken part in the Danone Nations Cup for the past five years, making it to the National Finals for three consecutive years.

“We were very close to representing South Africa at the World Finals last year,” Busakwe says. “But Sinenzuzo Primary beat us on penalties in the semifinals and we had to swallow our pride. There is only one thing on our minds right now, and that is to come back from Jo’burg as the National champions.”  

The 2011 Danone Nations Cup has seen many past winners knocked out of the running to make way for newcomers.  2010 National Champions from KwaZulu-Natal, Sinenzuzo Primary, were knocked out in the early rounds while 2008 and 2009 Champions, Bree Primary, who also were crowned World Champions in 2009, were knocked out in the Gauteng Provincial Finals.

With the top teams not competing, Busakwe believes that Ndongeni Primary from KwaZulu Natal will be the team to beat.

“The KwaZulu-Natal teams always give us a headache,” Busakwe explains. “They have a style of play that is very similar to our on-the-ground attacking style. But we have a plan on how to deal with them this time around - they won’t surprise us like they did last year. We are going to Spain this year, period.”

11 year old striker, Tebogo Mosetlhe, from the host school, Sapebuso Primary, will be in action on Saturday:  “We played very well in the Provincials beating experienced teams such as Bree Primary and that has given us confidence to do well in the National Finals. Our school principal and all the teachers will be there as well to give us moral support so I am very excited for Saturday.” Mosetlhe would like to be in Spain and has identified shaking hands with Danone Nations Cup Ambassador,  Zinedine Zindane, as the highlight of his trip – if he is a member of the lucky team that wins!

Sponsors Danone, together with partners Canon, will be erecting an Activity area for kids at the stadium which will include skills games, jumping castles, face painting, Canon photographers will be taking random pictures which the kids can take home immediately and many more.

“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,” explains Sandra Dorville, Communications Manager of Danone Southern Africa. “The experience of interacting with teams from other cultures and places in the world while playing the beautiful game gives the international leg of the Danone Nations Cup the feeling of a real world cup, but only for under-12’s.”

Gauteng fans are invited to join in the action of the National Final at Eldorado Park Stadium in Johannesburg on 9 July 2011 to see who will be going to the World Finals. The teams that will be battling it out for the top spot are Kgwahlele Primary (Limpopo), Nosizwe Primary (North West), Mhlahle Primary (Mpumalanga), Ndongeni Primary (KwaZulu-Natal), Robanyane Primary (Northern Cape), Backerville Primary (Eastern Cape), Phakamisani Primary (Western Cape) and Sapebuso Primary (Gauteng).  ENTRANCE FREE!

BARKERVILLE PRIMARY TO REPRESENT EASTERN CAPE AT THE NATIONAL FINALS

Seisa Dukashe Stadium in East London hosted the Eastern Cape leg of the Danone Nations Cup Provincial Finals, which saw Barkerville Primary School from the Alfred Nzo, beating Nkunzimbini from the O R Tambo Region, 4 – 0 to lift the trophy and become the 2011 Eastern Cape champions for the second time in three years.

The hero of the day was 10 year old attacking striker Slindile Jaane who scored a brace which helped his team emerge victorious.  Their next challenge will be the National Finals happening at the Eldoradopark Stadium in Gauteng on 9 July.  

If Bakerville win the National finals they will be the first Eastern Cape team to represent South Africa in the Danone Nations Cup World Finals which take place in Spain from 5 – 10 October.

But for many of the Bakerville youngsters just the trip to the City of Gold to play in the Nations finals is an exciting prospect and youngster, Qamane Mandlevo, who has never owned a pair of boots, is one such player.  This youngster is the team’s top goal scorer after netting 13 goals in just eight matches.

“Coach has told us that if we win in Gauteng we will travel by airplane to meet Zinedine Zidane in Spain which has made me even more determined to score more goals at the National finals,” says the 11 year old striker, Jaane.

Currently Jaane plays all his football on a pitch without grass and his dream is to become a player like his idol, Andile Jali currently with Orlando Pirates.  Jali originates from the Eastern Cape.

Bakerville  coach, Mpilo Changa has full confidence in his team and has singled out striker Slindile Jaane and team captain Sakhuxolo Ntsikilana as his key players. “We have worked really hard this season. At some point I thought we were going to be knocked out at the lowers level as most of my players are from disadvantaged backgrounds and it is not always possible for them to travel to attend games and practice sessions so our training has been inconsistent.  In fact I had to pay for transport for the kids to practice sessions, but this was never a problem as each and every player has a passion for the sport and a dream to go far.  I could not disappoint them.”

Barkerville is the seventh team to qualify for the 2011 National Finals after Nosizwe primary of the North West, Mhlahle from Mpumalanga, Robanyane primary of the Northern Cape, Mofulatshepe from Free State, Ndogeni Primary from KwaZulu – Natal and Kgwahlele from the Limpopo Province.

The overall winner in the National Championships will realize the dream of enjoying the Danone Nations Cup experience at an international final from 5 – 10 October, where they will not only compete for the world title but will have the opportunity to share with other young soccer lovers from across the globe, meet an international soccer icon Zinedine Zidane and most importantly have fun!

RESULTS – NORTH WEST PROVINCIAL FINALS

POOL - A

TEAM 1 – MZIMKHULU PRIMARY SCHOOL

TEAM 2 – ZANOXOLO PRIMARY SCHOOL

TEAM 3 – NKUNZIMBINI PRIMARY SCHOOL

TEAM 4 – CHARLES MORGAN PRIMARY SCHOOL

POOL - A

TEAM 1 – EMPUMELELWENI PRIMARY SCHOOL

TEAM 2 – BARKERVILLE PRIMARY SCHOOL

Mzimkhulu Primary   0 vs     Zanoxolo Primary 3

Nkuzimbini Primary 1  (4)   vs      Charles Morgan  Primary 1 (5)

Empumelelweni  Primary   1 (2)    vs       Bakerville Primary 1 (3)

Mzimkhulu Primary  0   vs      Nkuzimbini  Primary 3

Zanoxolo Primary   1   vs       Charles Morgan Primary 0

Barkerville Primary 3 vs Vusumzi Primary 0

Charles Morgan Primary 3 vs Mzimkhulu Primary 0

Ntunzimbini Primary 2 vs Zanoxolo Primary 0

Vusumzi Primary 1 vs Empumelelweni 3

FINAL LOG POSTION

POOL A: 1^st – Ntuzimbini Primary, 2^nd – Zanoxolo Primary, 3^rd – Charles Morgan Primary, 4^th – Mzimkhulu Primary.

POOL B: 1^st – Barkerville Primary, 2^nd – Empumelelweni Primary 3^nd - Vusumzi Primary,

FINAL

Nkunzimbini Primary 0 vs  Barkerville Primary 4

WINNER DANONE NATIONS CUP – EASTERN CAPE 2011 – Barkerville Primary School

DANONE NATIONS CUP - FREE STATE PROVINCIAL FINALS

Eight years ago a young footballer from the Free State, Kamohelo Mokotjo, captained the South African Under 12 team to victory against Portugal in the 2003 Danone Nations Cup World Finals held in France.   Mokotjo became a local hero and has since been an inspiration to many young footballers who have competed in the tournament. This is the type of enthusiasm that will unfold at the Clive Solomon Stadium in Bloemfontein this weekend, 14^th May, when the Under 12 Free State teams compete in the Danone Nations Cup Provincial finals.  Games start at 9am.

Mokotjo believed in his dreams and has gone on to become a profession footballer.  The now 20 years old has 9 caps with the National Under 20 team and 5 with the Under 23 National team and is currently playing his club football at Feyenoord Rotterdam in Holland. Free State is known for having built a number of sports academies and many of the professionals that have entered the Premier Soccer League have their origins in the Province so this weekend is sure to turn up some fine football.

Among those who are hoping to walk in Mokotjo’s footsteps is Vuyile Matiya.  The 11 year old aspirant footballer will captain the team that will be competing in the tournament for the first time, Katoloso Primary School from Lejweleputswa region.  Just like Mokotjo, his dream is to be a professional footballer one day and has singled out Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper, Itumeleng  Khune as his personal hero. “My uncle once told me that Khune used to play soccer in dusty streets just like me.  I look up to him a lot and he is my motivation to become a goalkeeper like him.”

Matiya has the responsibility of being the team’s last line of defence and will wear the number 1 jersey. He hopes for his team to do well and on a personal note he wants to make a difference to the success of the team.  “But most of all I am going to enjoy every game I play on Saturday.”

“We use the Danone Nations Cup as a platform to encourage youngsters to believe in their dreams, develop healthy lifestyles and above all to have fun,” says Sandra Dorville, Communications Manager Danone Southern Africa. “The tournament is built on clearly defined pillars namely humanism, openness, proximity and enthusiasm.  All the children that participate in the tournament around the world are just starting their journey through life and Danone would like to play a role in helping mould them for future success.”

Other teams that will be participating in the Free State event include third time Provincial champions Mofulatshepe Primary School from Xhariep Region. The reigning champions will be wanting to retain their reign but have tough competition in the form of  Zamaleka Primary School (Fezile Dabi), Letotolo Public School (Thabo Mufutsanyane) and Relebeletse Public School (Motheo). The schools will compete in one Group in a round robin tournament with the top teams going on to play in the final.

 

The Provincial winner will join Robanyane Primary from Northern Cape, Kgwahlele Primary (Limpopo), Nosizwe Primary (North West), Mhlahle Primary (Mpumalanga), Ndongeni Primary(KZN), in the National finals happening at Eldorado Park on 9 July.  The National champion will then represent South Africa in the 2011 Danone Nations Cup World Finals taking place in Madrid, Spain in October.  In attendance will be International ambassador, Zinadine Zidane.