KZN Coastal A ready to improve on their 2023 performance
Last year’s bronze medallists in the u18A boys’ competition at the annual SASHOC National Week, KwaZulu-Natal Coastal A, head into this year’s event, which again takes place in Bloemfontein, from 16 to 21 June, intent on improving on their 2023 effort.
They have been drawn in Group B and will play their matches at the University of Free State AstroTurf.
It’s a tough-looking pool, which also includes Eastern Province A, Southern Free State A, Northern Gauteng A, KZN Inland A, and Southern Gauteng A. Competition for a place in the semi-finals is going to be intense.
While they did not have a prolific goal-scorer, last year, KZN Coastal A dominated Group B under the captaincy of DHS star Leruo Ditlhakanyane, who not only made SA Schools but also the SA u21 team.
Their leading scorer was Clifton’s Kyle Thomas, with three goals. He and his school captain Connor McKenzie both made the SA Schools B team, and McKenzie and Northwood’s Tristan Boyall bagged two goals each.
The other seven goals scored by the Coastal A side were shared by seven players, including this year’s captain, Matthew Mendes de Oliveira, the Kearsney midfielder, who was selected for SA Schools last year. While they did not score a mountain of goals, they were one of the best teams on defence, conceding only two.
In the pool phase of the tournament, they scored 14 times and conceded just once as they bagged a perfect five wins from five games.
In the semifinals, however their hearts were crushed by Southern Gauteng A, to whom they lost 3-4 in a penalty shootout after the teams had played to a 1-1 draw. The Coastal A side then dusted themselves off and edged Boland 1-0 in the third and fourth-place playoff.
Looking at this year’s lineup, Coastal A coach Cameron Mackay said: “Selection was based around getting the right balance. Our team is dominated by DHS boys with them being the dominant team in KZN this year.”
Mackay, who has taken the baton from Michael Baker as coach of the side, is keen to continue the good work done by his predecessor. Three of the players who played under Baker, Mendes de Oliveira, Owen Slack, and Lethabo Bogacwi, are the core of this year’s outfit. Bogacwi, an SA Schools selection in 2023, and Slack will be the rocks in defence, where they will be assisted by James Read, Bhavesh Naicker, and Ruben Peters. Behind them, Harlee Jagga will be in goal and the last line of defence.
Their leadership duo of Mendes de Oliveira, the captain, and SA u17 midfielder Lumi Matwele, the vice-captain, will control proceedings in the middle of the park. Sithsaba Siyoyo and Andre Strydom will add their skills in that area of the field.
Up front, Josh Beck will lead the attack and will work hand-in-hand with Kearsney‘s prolific forward Trent Jessop. Also working on the search for goals will be Lethabo Matobela, Tyrique Cloete, Luyanda Mbokazi, and Josh Mungherera, and SA u16 squad member in 2023.
“We want to be a team that is confident on the ball and plays an exciting brand of hockey. Our first goal is to make the semifinals and hopefully top the group,” Mackay shared.
KZN Coastal A will kick off their campaign against the hosts, Southern Free State A, on Sunday, 16 June.
Their meeting with Southern Gauteng A on Tuesday, 18 June, could be a decisive fixture in the pool, and it will be an opportunity to avenge their semifinal loss of 2023.
None of the other teams in the pool should be disregarded, however. They all have the potential to claim a place in the final four.
KZN Coastal u18 Boys team: Bhavesh Naicker (DHS), Harlee Jagga (Northwood) James Read (Northwood), Josh Beck (Westville), Josh Mungherera (DHS), Lethabo Bogacwi (DHS), Lethabo Matobela (DHS), Lumi Matwele (DHS), Luyanda Mbokazi (Curro Hillcrest), Matthew Mendes de Oliveira (Kearsney), Owen Slack (Westville), Ruben Peters (DHS), Sithsaba Siyoyo (DHS), Thomas McKenzie (Kearsney), Trent Jessop (Northwood), Tyrique Cloete (DHS).
Coach: Cameron Mackay
FIXTURES
Sunday, 16 June
15:35 – KZN Coastal A vs Southern Free State A
Monday, 17 June
11:35 – KZN Coastal A vs KZN Inland A
15:35 – KZN Coastal A vs Eastern Province A
Tuesday, 18 June
14:10 – KZN Coastal A vs Southern Gauteng A
Wednesday 19 June
15:50 – KZN Coastal A vs Northern Gauteng A
