Mpumalanga Secondary School hopes to compete at provincial level in the Kay Motsepe Schools Cup

With two games to go in the cluster level playoffs in the Emalahleni 2 Cluster in Mpumalanga, Mehlwane Secondary School are on track to end on top of their section and go through to the next level of the Kay Motsepe Schools Cup competition.

Mdu Skosana, the team’s coach and manager, explains that they have not had much success in tournament before, always eliminated in the early phases, but this year they have won three and drawn one of their games so far, which puts them at the top of the table, with two games to go.

“It’s been a psychological thing with the players, they have let themselves believe that if the previous team didn’t make it further they also can’t,” he said. “But, at the moment we are leading the log standings by 10 points and we are left with only 2 games to finish our cluster games and proceed through to the sub regional games. Things are looking good for us, but we don’t want to count our chickens before they hatch. We just have to remain strong and continue our game plan for the upcoming matches.”

Skosana said the players at the school are passionate about soccer and they understand that playing soccer is not always about winning, but they would still like to experience playing in the provincial and national finals of the tournament and be exposed to schools from other districts.

The cluster games have been smooth sailing for them, he explained and they even drew with Zacheus Malaza SS, who participated in the provincial finals last year. “We viewed them as our biggest competition, but we realised that they are no more competitive or stronger than our side,” he said.

Skosana said the main challenge they face is not having a proper soccer field to train on. “The school does have a pitch, but it’s not in a good condition, which makes it hard for us to train as much as we would like to.  We currently train at our local stadium when it’s available,” he said.

The team has a number of very talented players who Skosana regards as key players. “But I have to single out the captain, Aubrey Mahlangu. He is a versatile player who can play any position, but lately he has been the striker for the team and is currently our leading goal-scorer. He is one of those players that need to be exposed to academies.  It is a pity that we are in the outskirts Emalahleni.”

The teams participating in the cluster playoffs are:

Zacheus Malaza Secondary School, Empucukweni Secondary School,  Leonard Nthuntshe Secondary School, D.M Matsaosele Secondary School,  Mehlwane Secondary School, Mabdande Secondary School and Phillip Ndimande Secondary School 

Gauteng Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup games begin at cluster level

The under-19 Sanlam Kay Motsepe School Cup soccer competition is well under way, with the first of the district level playoffs due to start soon.  This year the Department of Education has come on board which has boosted the registration numbers to record levels. And with R3.4 million on offer in prize money, the competition is heating up as schools strive to win a slice of the pie to use to enhance their school to benefit, not only the learners, but the community at large.

Games are currently being played at cluster level, progressing through to the district and regional levels with the provincial finals kicking off in August.

Among the schools busy with cluster matches at the moment is Lesedi Secondary School of the Gauteng North, Cullinan Cluster.

Their coach, Vincent Mashego is a former sports journalist who has returned to teaching because he wants to make a difference in the lives of his students. “I went back to teaching because it’s my passion and seeing my students succeed is rewarding for me.  I want to nurture these young boys, I teach them soccer and career skills and mentor them because I have been involved in sports, particularly in soccer, and I have seen how many young players destroy their careers,” he said.

The challenge in coaching young players, Mashego said, is that they don’t know the basics of the game. “My challenge in coming back to teaching soccer is that I assumed that the players are in the first team so they would know everything. But to my surprise most players don’t know the basics of soccer. So, every year we start with the basics. I don’t want to end up teaching them basics when we are in the middle of a tournament.”

It’s early days in the competition – Lesedi has only played 2 games so far – but Mashego is determined to go far with this team. “We have never moved further than the cluster games in this tournament before, but this team is fired up and ready to make an impact on this tournament this year.”

The team is made up of a mix of new and old players and Mashego believes the new players will rise to the occasion and reach the expected level in the tournament. “This year we want to reach the provincial final. We are not in a hurry to win this tournament yet, we are still developing the team and familiarising ourselves with the competition and gaining the experience.  The boys must just focus on training and developing their mental attitudes and individual games.”

The coach understands that academy sides are starting to dominate the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup. “The academies have qualified coaches, and top of the range exercise equipment but that does not determine how great a player can be on the field.  Ordinary schools have the same chance of winning this tournament as the academies do. They must just be well prepared, determined and willing to go the extra mile in training.”