Edendale sets sights on Mancosa KZNHSFA Inland title

The Mancosa KwaZulu-Natal High School Football Association (KZHHSFA) Coastal and Inland Second Term Leagues started last week, with more teams than ever signing up for the competition.

This week’s highlight in the Mancosa KZNHSFA Inland A League is a clash between Edendale Technical High School and Haythorne Secondary School, which will be played on Barns Field at Maritzburg College.

In a pre-match interview with SuperSport Schools Plus, Mxolisi Mchunu, the head coach of Edendale’s first team, expressed his straightforward ambition to secure the league title this season.

Edendale is a distinguished and highly regarded school within the South African school football community. In recent years, it has played both direct and indirect roles in fostering the development of South African football, particularly by contributing to the girls’ national junior teams.

The boys’ team at Edendale has also garnered attention. In 2024, they were one of the top teams in the nation, achieving promotion to the KZNHSFA Inland A League after competing in the Inland B League. Additionally, they captured the prestigious Siyabonga Nomvethe Schools Cup in October.

Mchunu emphasised the significance of Edendale’s participation in those competitions and the school’s successes, stating that they boost morale and motivate the players. He expressed confidence that they will continue to make him proud this year, just as they have in the past.

Despite stepping up to the Inland A League for the first time, Mchunu confidently stated that his team is determined to compete for the championship. He said his team has lost several players from last year’s squad but this has also opened doors for other young players.

“Yes, we did lose five of our key players. One was doing matric last year and others [are not available] due to age, but we always ensure that we do have the young players and we promoted some this year,” he explained.

As Easter tournaments are being held nationwide, football clubs and academies have summoned their players to take part in various competitions. Because of this, Mchunu acknowledged that the holiday period has limited his players’ preparation time for Tuesday’s match. However, he expressed his confidence in his players’ ability to perform and produce a strong effort.

FIXTURES

Tuesday, 22 April 

Coastal A League

Venue: Queensburgh High School

15:00
Field 1 – Glenwood High School vs Hillcrest High School
Field 2 – Westville Boys’ High School vs Pinetown Boys’ High

16:15
Field 1 – Empangeni High School vs Northwood School
Field 2 – Bechet vs Port Shepstone

Inland A League

Venue: Barns Field

15:00 – Edendale vs Haythorne
16:05 – Carter High School vs Ixopo Secondary School

Venue: Alexandra High School

15:00 – Alexandra High School vs Maritzburg College
16:05 – Newtown vs Linpark

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Siya Pongco

A passionate reader and dedicated writer, Siya possesses three degrees from Rhodes University including a Postgraduate Diploma at Rhodes University. He also played amateur cricket and soccer, both during his university years. While honing his journalism skills at Grocott’s Mail in Makhanda, he developed a profound interest in the community’s response to crime. Additionally, he covered topics such as art/culture and student politics at Rhodes University in 2022. In his spare time, Siya can be found exploring galleries, dining at restaurants, indulging in literature, taking photographs or savouring his favourite dish, spaghetti.

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