Primo Big 10: KZN supremacy on the line
Glenwood High defends the Primo Big 10 title they won in 2024 at Hilton College this coming weekend.
Last year, it was a case of third time lucky for the Green Machine, who had twice fallen at the final hurdle previously.
Thus far, though, the Durban school has put together a patchy season. They reached the semi-finals of the Mancosa KZN High School Football Association Coastal A-League in the second term and, more recently, were eliminated in the semi-finals of the Plate competition at the Curro Halala Cup, which was won by Northern Academy on the past weekend.
They’ll face competition from, among others, the KZN Coastal A-League champion, Westville Boys’ High, and the KZN Inland A-League champion, Maritzburg College, for the title.
Both sides feature outstanding strikers, with Dayyan Fudu leading the Westville frontline, and Mazithi Qasha up front for College.
Glenwood is in Group A, with Hilton College and St Charles. Hilton was in action at the St David’s Marist Inanda Nedbank Challenge Cup over the past weekend, where they won three and drew three. Michaelhouse was there, too, and they, also, went three and three.
Clifton College won one, drew one, and lost four at St David’s. They, however, have been one of the busier teams thus far, also competing in the Kearsney Soccer Tournament, where the hosts finished fourth, and that could help their challenge.
Tournament football makes different demands on teams when compared to league competition, and those sides that have been in tournament action will have a leg up on those who haven’t. St Charles is a side that hasn’t seen much action, which makes them unpredictable.
Speaking of unpredictability, Clifton very nearly derailed Glenwood’s title charge in the group stage last year. They beat the Green Machine 1-0, but Glenwood pulled off a 2-1 win over Maritzburg College after going a goal down before the Red, Black, and White defeated Clifton 3-1 to knock Clifton out of contention. It was a close shave for Glenwood.
Group B features the 2024 runner-up, Durban High School (DHS), Northwood, and Maritzburg College. DHS placed third at the Kearsney Soccer Tournament after a so-so run in the KZN Coastal B-League. Much like Northwood, though, their fortunes appear to be on the up.
The Knights endured a poor KZN Coastal A-League run, but they found their form just in time to avoid relegation. Since then, they’ve played some good football.
College, though, will be favoured in Group B. After going all the way in 2023, they were ousted by Glenwood in the semifinals last year, losing 1-2 after they had eliminated highly regarded Westville in the quarterfinals.
Group C features four teams – Michaelhouse, Westville, Clifton, and Kearsney. Westville is, arguably, the favourite in the group, but it’s tough to call.
Last August, the vagaries of knockout football were exposed when unfancied Michaelhouse captured the Jody Momple Cup when facing many of the teams that will be in action on the weekend.
Kearsney’s been a tough unit to read thus far. They’ve been competitive, in every game and, with a slight improvement, could make some noise.
Clifton has been more inconsistent, but they have some good quality in their lineup. Perhaps, as was the case last year, they’re the kind of side that could pull off an upset or two, but going all the way appears unlikely.
With Group A and Group B having only three teams each compared to the four in Group C, Saturday’s afternoon schedule will include cross-pool playoff matches between sides in Group A and Group B.
FIXTURES
Saturday, 16 August
Group A (Field 1 – Zungu)
09:00 – Hilton vs St Charles
11:00 – St Charles vs Glenwood
13:00 – Hilton vs Glenwood
Group B (Field 2 – Etheridge)
09:00 – DHS vs Northwood
11:00 – Northwood vs Maritzburg College
13:00 – Maritzburg College vs DHS
Cross-group matches (A and B)
15:00 (Etheridge) – St Charles vs Northwood
15:00 (Zungu) – Hilton vs DHS
16:00 (Zungu) – Glenwood vs Maritzburg College
Group C (Field 3 – New Field)
09:00 – Michaelhouse vs Westville
10:00 – Clifton vs Kearsney
12:00 – Westville vs Clifton
13:00 – Kearsney vs Michaelhouse
15:00 – Westville vs Kearsney
16:00 – Michaelhouse vs Clifton
Playoffs: Sunday, 17 August
Quarterfinals
QF1 – 09:00 – Zungu – A1 vs 2nd best 3rd
QF2 – 09:00 – Etheridge, B1 vs Best 3rd
QF3 – 10:00 – Zungu, C1 vs B2
QF4 – 10:00 – Etheridge, A2 vs C2
* If the 2nd best 3rd place team is from Group A, they will change with the best 3rd place team.
9th/10th Playoff
12:00 – Zungu – C4 vs 3rd-best 3rd
Semi-finals
SF1 – 13:00 – Zungu – W QF1 vs W QF4
SF2 – 13:00 – Etheride – W QF3 vs W QF2
Final
15:00 – Zungu – W SF1 vs W SF2
