Favourites shocked in Mancosa Cowie Cup last 16
The Mancosa KZNHSFA Cowie Cup, after several weeks of sluggish progress, is headed towards its business end following the completion of the round of 16 fixtures, and some results have shaken up the competition.
During an intensified period of third-term football, unexpected results have become commonplace, and several of KwaZulu-Natal’s most prominent teams have suffered elimination.
Last week, the reigning champions of the KZNHSFA Coastal A-League, Westville Boys’ High, were unexpectedly defeated by Alexandra High School, who finished behind Maritzburg College and Carter High in the second term of the KZNHSFA Inland A-League.
Glenwood High, who won the Coastal A-League in 2023 and 2024, as well as the Primo Big 10 last year, fell to Brettonwood, who claimed the KZN Coastal C-League title in June.
Despite Glenwood’s advantage in experience and their participation at a higher level of competition, it was Brettonwood who prevailed 4-3 from the penalty spot after the teams had finished regulation time level at 1-1.
Northwood‘s impressive resurgence continued, meanwhile, when they delivered an exceptional performance in a decisive 4-0 victory over St Nicholas Diocesan School.
Queensburgh High, the runner-up in the Coastal B-League, was pushed all the way by Reddam House Umhlanga. They played to a 1-1 draw, and the subsequent penalty shootout went all the way to sudden death before Queensburgh scraped through 6-5 from the spot.
The showdown between Greytown High and Bechet High extended even further, with Greytown snatching a 7-6 penalty shootout win following an exciting 2-2 draw in regulation time.
Port Shepstone dominated Newton School, romping to a 5-0 victory that propelled Sheppie into the quarterfinals.
Carter High, the runners-up of the KZNHSFA Inland A-League, also moved into the quarterfinals after a hard-fought 1-0 win over New Forest. Their Pietermaritzburg rivals, Maritzburg College, scored a 2-0 win over Fairvale Secondary School.
The quarterfinals’ lineup has thrown up some interesting fixtures, with Northwood tackling Queensburgh High, and Brettonwood aiming to continue their giant-killing form against Maritzburg College.
Carter High will head into their clash with Greytown favoured to advance to the semi-finals, while the remaining match, between Port Shepstone and Alexandra High, might well prove to be the pick of the bunch.
Cowie Cup Last 16 Results
Queensburgh High (6) 1-1 (5) Reddam House Umhlanga
Maritzburg College 2-0 Fairvale
Newton 0-5 Port Shepstone
Alexandra 2-1 Westville
New Forest 0-1 Carter
Greytown (7) 2-2 (6) Bechet
Quarter Finals
Queensburgh vs Northwood
Brettonwood vs Maritzburg College
Port Shepstone vs Alexandra
Carter vs Greytown
