ML Sultan and Michaelhouse lift KZNHSFA Inland league titles
The finals of the Mancosa KwaZulu-Natal High Schools Football Association (KZNHSFA) Second Term, Inland B and C-Leagues took place on Friday, with ML Sultan and Michaelhouse both securing titles.
The final of the Inland B-League, between ML Sultan and Northbury Park, mirrored their previous game. In the earlier round-robin league match, Northbury Park surprised ML Sultan, who had won six out of six until then, winning 3-2.
In the final, with promotion to the A-League awaiting the winner, the stakes were high and the margin for error was minimal.
ML Sultan got back to winning ways, reversing their loss to Northbury Park by claiming a tight 1-0 victory to be crowned the KZN Inland B-League champion, thanks to a goal from Mtolo Samkelo.
The champions had more reasons to celebrate. Their Thabiso Madlala and Vuyani Mkhize shared the golden boot, finishing as the joint=top goal scorers in the B-League, with five each.
ML Sultan’s title-winning success came despite the school facing a number of significant challenges. In May, Sanele Ngcobo, the team’s coach, told SuperSport Schools Plus that the school lacks the advantage of a full-sized soccer field and currently uses a seven-a-side pitch.
Still, ML Sultan found a way to win and next season they’ll join teams like Maritzburg College, Carter High, Edendale Technical High, and Linpark in the A-League.
Daniel Haswell, the Chairperson of the KZNHSFA, commended coach Ngcobo for his exceptional efforts in organising the ML Sultan football team, with support from the KZNHSFA, which helped them acquire a sponsored team kit from Primo.
In 2025, Edendale Technical High made a smooth transition from the B-League to the A-League, finishing in third place. ML Sultan will take lessons from the journey of Edendale when they, too, contest the A-League in 2026.
Inland C League
In the final of the Inland C-League, Michaelhouse defeated Umvuzo 2-1.
Although Umvuzo entered this match as the slight favourites, having tallied 16 points in an impressive campaign, which was double the eight points earned by second-placed Michaelhouse in the regular phase of the season.
However, the title game did not reflect that advantage, as Michaelhouse won to move to up to the KZN Inland B-League in 2026.
They may have lost, but Umvuzo’s Nkosingiphile Zuma was the leading goal scorer in the Inland C-League.
Results
Inland B
ML Sultan 1-0 Northbury
Inland C
Michaelhouse 2-1 Umvuzo
