Edendale to represent SA at the CAF African Schools Football Championships

Edendale Technical High, led by coach Ntombifuthi Khumalo, is set to represent the South African girls’ team at the CAF African Schools Football Championship in Tanzania from 21-24 May.

In July 2023, Edendale and the Ubuntu Football Academy won the girls’ and boys’ titles at the 2023 Winter National Schools Sport Championship in Benoni, which secured them a place in the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) final in Harare, Zimbabwe, in December.

The South African sides, which were allowed to also include players from other schools, under the guidance of the South African Football Association (Safa) and through the Confederation of Africa Football (Caf) regulations, were both victorious, thus securing places at the CAF finals, which will be hosted in Tanzania from 21-24 May.

Edendale beat Botswana 3-1 in their final, with a double from Khwezi Khoza and a third goal from Rethabile Molefe confirming their progress to the continental showpiece. Khoza finished the qualifiers as the event’s top goal scorer, netting 11 times.

Last year, in the CAF Finals, Edendale was eliminated in the early rounds after stumbling against Morocco and Senegal at the King Zwelethini Stadium in Umlazi, just outside Durban.

The team to challenge for the title in Tanzania has been bolstered by a number of talented players, including Katlego Malebane, of Mamelodi Sundowns, and the 13-year-old Akhona Simamane, of Lindelani Ladies FC.

Malebane joined Sundowns at just eight years of age and has proudly worn the yellow, blue and green jersey ever since.

She left spectators mesmerised during the Kapstad Cup in 2022 and was one of the top players during the inaugural season of the Gauteng Women’s Development League in 2023, which the Brazilians won under the guidance of coach Rhoda Mulaudzi. Malebane has also represented the South African u17 national team.

At just 13 years of age, Akhona Simamane appeared in the Hollywoodbets Super League, the top flight of women’s football in South Africa. Now she’ll be afforded an opportunity to make her mark beyond the country’s borders.

Her club Lindelani Ladies FC trumpeted Simamane’s selection on their social media channels, and her achievement was widely praised, with Lindelani also being lauded for providing a platform for young girls to showcase their talents.

u15 South African Girls Team 

Technical Team

1. Coach: Ntombifuthi Khumalo
2. Manager: Sihle Basi
3. Female Safeguarding Officer: Nokuthula Gumede
4. Technical Department: Keneilwe Mathibela
5. Physiotherapist: Anita Masolo Baloi

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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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