Defending champs hit all the right notes as KZN football season kicks off
The Mancosa KwaZulu-Natal High Schools Football Association (KZNHSFA) kicked off its Coastal and Inland leagues this week, with the reigning champions and other traditionally strong teams claiming victories.
Coastal A-League
On Tuesday, Westville Boys’ High, the reigning champions of the Coastal A-league, faced last year’s runner-up, Hillcrest High.
Westville didn’t allow Hillcrest the satisfaction of reversing the result, handing Hillcrest High a 2-0 defeat. Last year, Hillcrest, with a youthful lineup, surprised many, not only in KwaZulu-Natal but across the nation. Their achievements also included qualifying for the inaugural Curro Halala Cup, where they ultimately lost in the Plate final to Meridian Pinehurst.
Glenwood High, reeling from a disappointing 2025 season, which ended without silverware, faced a strong challenge in their opening match against Pinetown Boys’ High. Last year’s competition was not kind to Pinetown Boys’ High, but they later showed their quality by winning the Kloof High School National Football Tournament and the Kearsney Soccer Tournament.
Against Glenwood, though, their Coastal League troubles emerged, with Glenwood winning 3-1. Wandile Ndimande netted a consolation goal for Pinetown, but Glenwood captain Ndalo Mbatha, Ukwazi Dludla, and Aphelele Magwaza struck for the Green Machine.
It was a promising start for Glenwood, who were the champions of the KZNHSFA Coastal A-League in 2023 and 2024. Pinetown will be hoping to avoid a repeat of last year’s disastrous league campaign, where they flirted with relegation alongside Northwood. Both went on to put together strong seasons.
Northwood, they will surely be pleased to start the new season with three points following their 2-1 victory over Port Shepstone. In 2025, Northwood escaped relegation in the final round of league matches.
Rhys Millar, a consistent goal scorer over the past three seasons, struck for the Knights. Daniel Van Huyssteen also got his name on the scoresheet.
Inland A-League
The reigning Inland champions, Maritzburg College, kicked off the new season with a slim 1-0 victory over ML Sultan, who earned promotion after winning the Inland B-League last season. Ndzolo Ngcemu netted the decisive goal for the Red, Black, and White.
Close matches were the order of the day in the Inland A-League. Ixopo Secondary School edged out Edendale Technical High 1-0. Promoted last season, Edendale enjoyed a strong first campaign in the A-League, finishing third. But a goal from Luvuyo Mjwara meant they started with a loss to Ixopo.
Last season’s runner-up, Carter High, was held to a 1-1 draw by Linpark, with Ayabonga Sibiya finding the back of the net for Carter.
The clash between Alexandra High and Haythorne Secondary School also ended in a 1-1 draw, with Mthobisi Ngcono scoring for Alex.
Coastal B-League
On Thursday, in the Coastal B-League, Sastri and Amanzimtoti shared an exciting 3-3 draw in one of the most entertaining matches of the opening week at Queensburgh High.
The home team, Queensburgh High, was also part of a draw, playing to a 1-1 result against Grosvenor Boys’ High.
New Forest and the 2025 champions of the Coastal C-League, Brettonwood, scored impressive wins. New Forest defeated Empangeni High 3-0, thanks to goals from Sfundo Khanyile, Ayabonga Gqoloba, and Siyabonga Mbili.
Newly promoted Brettonwood matched that result, with Fanele Ngili, Blessing Muzanembi, and Tebogo Ngcobo scoring in a convincing win over Redwood College.
Inland C-League
Also on Thursday, in the Inland C-League, Umvuzo Secondary School faced off against the newcomers, Siyanda High School, with their match ending in a 1-1 draw. Ntokozo Nxumalo netted for Umvuzo, while Kwanele Mdaka equalised for Siyanda.
The Carter High B team took on Smero Secondary School, handing the newcomers a 2-0 defeat.
RESULTS
Tuesday, 14 April
Coastal A-League
Glenwood 3-1 Pinetown Boys’ High
Westville Boys’ High 2-0 Hillcrest High
Northwood 2-1 Port Shepstone High
DHS vs Bechet
Wednesday, 15 April
Inland A-League
Alexandra High 1-1 Haythorne Secondary School
Ixopo 1-0 Edendale Technical High
Carter High 1-1 Linpark
Maritzburg College 1-0 ML Sultan
Thursday, 16 April
Coastal B-League
Sastri 3-3 Amanzimtoti
Queensburgh 1-1 Grosvenor
New Forest 3-0 Empangeni High
Brettonwood 3-0 Redwood College
Inland C-League
Carter High School B 2-0 Smero Secondary School
Umvuzo Secondary School 1-1 Siyanda High School
Forthcoming Fixtures
Friday, 17 April
Inland B
Venue: Alexandra High School
15:00
Field 1 – Thornhill vs Alexandra High B
Field 2 – Northbury vs Heritage Academy
16:55
Field 1 – Riverwood vs Michaelhouse
Field 2 – Maritzburg Christian School vs Maritzburg College B
Coastal C
Venue: Queensburgh High
15:10
Field 1 – Durban North College vs Canaan College
Field 2 – George Campbell vs Rossbuburgh
16:10
Field 1 – Reddam Ballito vs Durban Academy
Field 2 – Kloof High vs Ashton Ballito
