SA u16s aim for more consistency against Zimbabwe
The SA u16 teams have done very little wrong in their first two matches against Zimbabwe in the Allister Fredericks
Africa Challenge this week.
The four-day series, which concludes on Friday, is being hosted in Johannesburg at St David’s Marist Inanda.
South Africa was dominant on the first two days and, between the u16A and B teams, they scored a staggering 25 goals without conceding.
After beating Zimbabwe u16A 10-0 on Tuesday, the u16B side returned on Wednesday seeking to emulate or better their previous performance.
They were not far off it, but they had to work a little bit harder to break down Zim’s defence early on, with skipper Peter Mutimutema putting in a solid defensive shift for South Africa’s northern neighbours.
The home side eventually broke the deadlock after Matthew Jung picked up a poor clearance attempt from Zim inside the opposition’s circle, and he slapped the ball into the back of the net.
Caleb Cilliers, who scored five goals on Tuesday, was back on the scoresheet, striking after smart play between Ben Wilson and Dante Moore on the right-hand side set him up with a chance. Wilson, then, made it three just before the end of the chukka.
Before halftime, South Africa tacked on two more, with Jung converting a penalty stroke before Cilliers tapped in at the far post.
The floodgates opened in the second half, and Cilliers completed his hat-trick after clever play from Peter Abrahams put Cilliers through on goal.
Soon after, Wilson made it a brace from his stick, and Buhle Kama got in on the scoring action with Limani Makeleni assisting his Western Province teammate.
Anthony Crossley completed the drubbing with the ninth goal of the game to seal another comprehensive victory for coach Siya Sityana‘s side.
The u16A side was in action later in the day against Zimbabwe’s u18A team.
On Tuesday, South Africa u16A, led by coach Dalan Phillips, scored a 3-0 victory, courtesy of a Stephan Malan brace and a Blaine Candy strike.
It was a composed performance from the South African defenders, while the midfielders controlled the contest, with Callum Anderson pulling the strings.
Their second outing was no different.
Although Zimbabwe put up a heroic fight, South Africa was never fazed, enjoyed more ball possession, and linked up well.
The first chukka was goalless, but that changed quickly in the second when Kade Lottering fired home a short corner to open the scoring.
Malan, who was influential on day one, scored a thunderbolt drag flick to double his side’s lead in the 30th minute.
Then, the captain of the South African side, Jeandré Van Zyl, sealed the game and another 3-0 win with a penalty stroke conversion in the third chukka.
Results and scorers
SA u16B 9: Caleb Cilliers (3), Matthew Jung (2), Ben Wilson (2), Buhle Kama, Anthony Crossley. Zimbabwe 0.
SA u16 A 3: Kade Lottering, Stephan Malan, Jeandre Van Zyl. Zimbabwe 0.
Day 3 fixtures, Thursday, 14 August
15:30 – SA u16B vs Zimbabwe u16A
18:30 – SA u16A vs Zimbabwe u18A
