It’s Déjà Vu for Inland A-League Final
While the finalists for the Mancosa KwaZulu-Natal High Schools Football Association (KZNHSFA) Inland A-League have been determined, the finalists of the Coastal A-League will be determined only after the last round of league fixtures, on Tuesday, 3 June.
This season’s matches in the Coastal and Inland A-Leagues have proven to be exceptionally captivating, keeping spectators on the edge of their seats. SuperSport Schools Commentator Sibonelo Zulu told SuperSport Schools Plus that the games have been more fiercely competitive than ever before.
Coastal A-League
There has been little to separate the top sides in the Coastal A-League since round one. The four leading teams – Westville Boys’ High, Hillcrest High, Glenwood High, and Port Shepstone High – have set the stage for a final showdown to determine who will advance to the final.
Currently, Westville holds the top position with 16 points, followed closely by Hillcrest High, on 15 points. Glenwood, in third place, also has 15 points, while Sheppie sits on 12.
“The KZN Coastal League is the more fascinating of the two streams for obvious reasons. I mean, you have the top four teams all in with a shout of securing a top two spot heading into the last round of matches next week,” Zulu enthused.
He said all four teams are at risk, especially the back-to-back Coastal League champions, Glenwood. Should they lose to Westville next week, they will relinquish their chance at a hattrick of titles.
Given their title wins in 2023 and 2024, the Green Machine missing out on the final would be quite unusual. Even when they didn’t claim the title, they played in the final in 2022, going down 0-1 against Westville.
In 2023, Glenwood got by Port Shepstone in a penalty shootout. Then, in 2024, they avenged their previous defeat to Westville in the final two years’ earlier. If they’re to have any hope of a three-peat, they need three points next week.
On Tuesday, Glenwood picked up another three points, courtesy of a 2-0 walkover due to Bechet‘s failure to honour the fixture.
Although that full haul was welcomed. coach Khaya Mgwengwe would feel disappointed by that outcome. He values the experience of his players earning their victories on the field.
Westville, meanwhile, defeated Northwood School 2-1.
Ntando Ngcobo netted the opening goal for Westville from the penalty spot, while Dayyan Fudu, a contender for the Golden Boot Award, scored the decisive goal.
In another Coastal A-League fixture, Hillcrest High scored a 2-0 win over Empangeni High, with Mohale Sakuneka netting a superb free kick, while Ayedan Whitby scored a tap-in at far post after an amazing run from Tanaka Chinodakufa.
Zulu praised Hillcrest High’s gutsy showings. “Often dubbed the underdogs [Hillcrest High], now has a shot of securing a top two spot and playing in their first ever Coastal League final,” he said.
“The 2025 KZN Coastal League is everything a football fan dreams of seeing transpiring in an elite league.”
In another key result, Port Shepstone, after suffering consecutive losses, returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Pinetown Boys’ High. They’ve given themselves a shot at reaching the final, but, with 12 points, they’re the outsiders heading into the last round of matches.
The fact of the matter, though, is that the top four teams hold their fortunes in their own hands. That’s because next week’s games have them playing one another.
Port Shepstone tackles Hillcrest High, while Westville takes on Glenwood. It couldn’t have been scripted better.
Inland A-League
Zulu told SuperSport Schools Plus that at the outset of the season, there were four teams likely to contend for the Inland A-League title. They included Carter High School, the defending champion, and two-time league winner.
Since 2018, Maritzburg College has appeared in six consecutive Inland A-League finals and, in 2023, they famously won the treble under the leadership of Mateo Horstead.
The newly promoted Edendale Tech High School boasts a dedicated, outstanding football programme, while Alexandra High School is regarded as the sleeping giant of the game in the region.
“The cream was always going to rise to the top, and Carter and Maritzburg College, who played only eight minutes of the opening game of the Inland A-League due to inclement weather, meet again in the final,” Zulu said.
On Tuesday, the Red, Black and White defeated Linpark 3-0, to secure a place in the title decider. Mazithi Qasha, who has been prolific scoring form this season, once again found the back of the net, scoring the opening goal for College.
Coming off the bench, Ndzolo Ngcemu scored their second with his very first touch of the game, while Wandile Zondile added a third goal to ensure College progressed to the final.
They still have one last match to play in the regular phase of the season, on Tuesday, 3 June, against Haythorne Secondary, before they take on Carter High in a rematch of the 2024 final.
Maritzburg College will go into that match as the favourite because Haythorne is at risk of relegation. They’re bottom of the table with only two points to their name.
Carter High, the reigning champion, appears to be in excellent form, yet they remain cautious of the formidable adversary they will face in the gold-medal game
Carter trails Maritzburg College by two points in the standings after they clinched their place in the final with a 2-0 victory over Haythorne, with Adunyiswe Sibiya and Lwanele Mkhize netting for the winners. They face Alexandra High A on Tuesday.
“Destiny, some would say, but I strongly believe that they are the two [Carter High and Maritzburg College] most well-run schools in the Inland League, with a synergy from the junior ranks,” Zulu said. “The Coaches and players all sing from the same hymn book.”
In another Inland A-League clash, Ixopo outplayed Newton 4-0. Edendale Technical High, playing in the Inland A-League for the first time, will be back next season, too. They beat Alexandra High A 2-0, thanks to goals from Wandile Madlala and Wandile Mbanjwa.
At the beginning of the season, in an exclusive interview with SuperSport Schools Plus, Edendale’s head coach Mxolisi Mchunu said it was his side’s ambition to claim the league title. While they may feel slightly disheartened after missing out, they should take pride in a solid season.
Edendale occupies third place on the log, with 10 points and one match remaining. They’ll be aiming to increase their points’ haul to 13 when they face Newton on Tuesday.
RESULTS
Coastal A
Westville 2-1 Northwood
Glenwood 2-0 Bechet
Hillcrest High 2-0 Empangeni
Port Shepstone 2-0 Pinetown
Inland A
Maritzburg College 3-0 Linpark
Ixopo 4-0 Newton
Edendale 2-0 Alexandra High A
Carter High 2-0 Haythorne
Note: The Coastal B-League have been moved to Wednesday, 28 May, instead of Thursday, 29 May. The hosting venue is still Queensburgh High School, and the times haven’t changed.
