Football wrap: third-term action heating up
The past week delivered some memorable football highlights, including Northern Academy lifting the Curro Halala Cup, and the home team claiming the St David’s Nedbank Challenge Cup on Sunday.
It was also a memorable week for Mazithi Qasha, the vice-captain and most trusted goal poacher for Maritzburg College, who, once again, was in the limelight.
On Saturday, 2 August, he made his 100th appearance for the Red, Black, and White, scoring twice in a 3-0 win over Alexandra High to commemorate the occasion in style. That brace his total to 89 goals for the College 1st XI.
Then, on Wednesday, he added another pair to help College to a 3-2 victory over Howick High School.
This past Saturday, Qasha struck twice more against Westville Boys’ High School, with Westville sharpshooter, Dayyan Fudu, matching the College vice-captain with a pair of his own as the schools shared a 2-2 draw.
Fudu, who was recently in Spain for an assessment and trial with the Levante UD Academy, netted just four seconds into the match and added his second in the tenth minute.
Mancosa KZNHSFA Cowie Cup
During the week, the Mancosa KwaZulu-Natal High Schools Football Association (KZNHSFA) Cowie Cup took centre stage in the province, with Reddam House Umhlanga making a huge impact in the last 32 by powering to a commanding 6-0 victory against Waterfall College.
Queensburgh High defeated Kloof High 3-1, while Northwood scored a decisive 4-0 win over Ashton Ballito.
Brettonwood, whose star is on the rise after the school earned promotion from the KZN Coastal C-League to the Coastal B-League, took another step forward by cruising to a 6-0 win over Thomas More College.
Following a disappointing run in the second term, Alexandra High School handed Redwood College a 2-1 defeat to move on to the last 16 of the Cowie Cup.
The Coastal A-League champion, Westville, showcased their strength in the Cowie Cup with an impressive 4-2 victory over Amanzimtoti, while Carter High, the runner-up of the Inland A-League, swept to a 5-0 win over Sastri College.
Mangaung Region – Kay Motsepe Semifinals and Final
The Free State’s Mangaung Schools Football League concluded qualifying for the Kay Motsepe Schools Cup, with the semifinals taking place on Tuesday and the finals on Friday.
On Tuesday, HTS Louis Botha picked up a narrow 1-0 victory over Kyrios Independent School in the first semifinal. In the second semi, Grassland Secondary was taken to penalties by Hodisa Technical Secondary after a 0-0 draw in regulation time, with Grassland, then, snatching a 5-4 win in the penalty shootout.
The final also went to penalties after HTS Louis Botha and Grassland played to a 1-1 draw. In the shootout, HTS Louis Botha displayed precision to claim a 5-4 victory after Grassland missed a critical penalty, securing them a place against other regional champions from across South Africa in the Kay Motsepe Schools Cup.
Eastern Cape
In the Eastern Cape, a highlight of the week was a showdown on Friday between Selborne College and Dale College. The win went Selborne’s way by a tight 2-1 margin. .
On Thursday, in the East London High Schools Football League, Stutterheim High, the reigning champion, recorded a 2-1 victory over Cathcart High. The Centre of Excellence, meanwhile, ran out 4-2 winners over Merrifield College.
RESULTS
Wednesday
Maritzburg College 3-2 Howick High
Free State – Mangaung – Kay Motsepe Semifinals and Final
Tuesday – Semifinals
HTS Louis Botha 1-0 Kyrios Independent School
Grassland Secondary (5) 0-0 (4) Hodisa Secondary
Final
HTS Louis Botha (5) 1-1 (4) Grassland Secondary
Eastern Cape
Selborne College 2-1 Dale College
Thursday
B Block BWFLA High Schools Football League/East London High Schools Football League
Stutterheim 2-1 Cathcart
Centre of Excellence 4-2 Merrifield
Saturday
Maritzburg College 2-2 Westville Boys’ High
Mancosa KZNHSFA Cowie Cup – Last 32 Results
Reddam House Umhlanga 6-0 Waterfall
Queensburgh High 3-1 Kloof High School
Northwood 4-0 Ashton Ballito
Brettonwood 6-0 Thomas More College
Alexandra 2-1 Redwood
Westville 4-2 Amanzimtoti
Carter 5-0 Sastri College
