Defending champ Clapham scores big Absa Wildeklawer win
The highly anticipated Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament kicked off on Wednesday, with some of the big guns, including Clapham High School and Maritzburg College, immediately making their mark by scoring important victories.
The host, Kimberley Boys’ High, was held to a goalless draw by the Wildeklawer Academy in a local clash. That left Paul Roos Gimnasium to top Group A after a slim 1-0 victory over Potchefstroom Boys’ High.
The reigning champions, Clapham, started their campaign with a 1-0 win over another formidable opponent, Northern Academy, the current titleholders of the Kay Motsepe Soccer Schools Championship. The match was a closely contested battle, with both teams showing that they are among the strongest title contenders.
Meanwhile, in another Group B game, Emmang Mmogo High School played to a 2-2 draw with Norkem Park High School.
In Group C, the two-time champion of the Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament, HTS Louis Botha tackled Brebner in a meeting of two Bloemfontein titans. There was little to separate the sides and the contest ended in a 0-0 stalemate.
With HTS Louis Botha and Brebner High School dropping points, Victoria Park High School, from Gqeberha, and Virginia High School had an opportunity to take the lead in Group C. The Eastern Cape side grabbed hold of the chance, scoring a 2-1 win to earn themselves three points.
Maritzburg College, who finished in sixth place in 2024, started their campaign on a high note, beating an in-form Jeppe High School for Boys team, making their debut in the tournament, 3-1.
The prolific striker Mazithi Qasha scored a brace, while Wandile Zondile struck from long range to propel the Red, Black, and White to a convincing win. Qasha, who has been scoring goals for fun, was named the man of the match following his outstanding performance.
Grey College, last year’s runner-up, is in Group D with College and Jeppe. The group also features Border Schools and Navalsig High.
Grey kicked off their title challenge with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Border Schools. It appeared as if the contest was headed for a goalless draw, but Grey conjured up a winner in the last 10 seconds to steal the three points on offer to the winner.
RESULTS
Group A
Kimberley Boys’ High 0-0 Wildeklawer Academy
Paul Roos Gimnasium 1-0 Potchefstroom Boys’ High
Group B
Clapham High 1-0 Northern Academy
Emmang Mmogo 2-2 Norkem Park
Group C
HTS Louis Botha 0-0 Brebner
Victoria Park 2-1 Virginia High
Group D
Maritzburg College 3-1 Jeppe
Grey College 1-0 Border Schools
