Northern Academy lifts the inaugural Curro Halala Cup
After four days of football that showcased many of the country’s top schools’ football teams, Northern Academy became the winners of the inaugural Curro Halala Cup, on Sunday, at HeronBridge College, in Johannesburg.
The atmospehre was electric as a fiercely contested final against Norkem Park High was decided from the penalty spot.
Norkem Park gave Northern Academy everything they could handle, creating multiple chances to win, but they came up just short after the shootout went to sudden death.
In the first half of the title game, Norkem Park was the sharper of the sides, prompting Northern Academy’s bench, led by coach Hendrick Mukwevho, to urge their players to improve, especially in the midfield.
Four minutes into the second half, Sello Rambla, from Norkem Park, opened the scoring. Their impressive coordination showed in a cohesive defence and a determined attack, which used space effectively in the central field.
However, it took Northern Academy only 10 minutes to draw level, with the equaliser coming from their captain Lesetja Raphesu. Following that goal, the intensity was ratcheted up, leading to both goalkeepers needing to showcase their skills.
Regulation time finished at 1-1, which sent the contest into a penalty shootout. It was dramatic, but Northern Academy sneaked victory by 8-7 from the spot.
It could have gone the other way, but when Northern Academy missed penalty kicks, Norkem Park failed to take advantage of their opportunities.
Then, when the match moved into a sudden death shootout, the crossbar denied Norkem Park, leading to Northern Academy celebrating victory. It was an amazing ending for the Limpopo school, who very nearly didn’t make the finals.
In May, facing their local rivals, Flora Park Comprehensive, they went down 3-4 from the penalty spot in the qualifying rounds. However, when Flora Park and Westenburg Secondary qualified for the Kay Motsepe Schools provincial tournament, which was to be played on the same weekend, the way was opened for Northern Academy and Louis Trichardt to play to stay in the Curro Halala Cup. Northern Academy won that match to advance.
On Sunday, they turned that fortunate turn of events into a title and the winners’ cheque of R100 000.
After the victory, coach Mukwevho, who was named the Coach of the Tournament, told Curro Sport about his immense pride in his team, stating that his players mean everything to him.
He praised Norkem Park, acknowledging that the final was one of the most challenging matches that Northern Academy had played.
“I am bursting with pride for everyone who stepped onto that field today,” Mukwevho said. “From the very first day of this tournament to this final moment, we have felt God’s hand guiding us. Without his strength and blessing, we never would have made it this far.
“Now we are heading back home to continue out campaign in the local league, where we are still sitting at the top of the log,” he concluded.
Cobus Loubser, the CEO of Curro, said, after an impressive inaugural campaign, efforts will continue to establish the Curro Halala Cup as a prominent event, serving as an ongoing celebration of youth, talent, and unity, on the South African school sports’ calendar.
“Curro will keep on creating opportunities and we will continue to pass the ball to young heroes to do well in their lives,” Loubser said. “Our future is bright, and not just on the football field.”
The players’ honours saw Omolemo Sekowe, from Clapham High, receiving the Golden Boot Award, while the Golden Glove went to Manaka Kelelo, from Northern Academy. The Best Player of the Tournament went the way of Northern Academy’s Katlego Rhenoster.
The Halala Cup Spirit Award was presented to the Plate runner-up, Hillcrest High, a team that truly embodied the essence and passion of the beautiful game.
They went down 0-2 to Meridian Pinehurst in the Plate Final, but receiving the Halala Cup Spirit Award was a proud achievement for the KZN school which has been one of the most pleasant surprises of the 2025 football season.
RESULTS
Cup Final
Northern Academy (8) 0-0 (7) Norkem Park High
Cup Playoffs/Bronze
Grey College (3) 1-1 (1) Navalsig
Plate Final
Meridian Pinehurst 2-0 Hillcrest High
Final Rankings
- Northern Academy
- Norkem Park High School
- Grey College
- Navalsig High School
- Clapham High School
- Mondeor High School
- Curro Soshanguve
- Camps Bay High School
- Meridian Pinehurst
- Hillcrest High School
- Glenwood High School
- Brylin High School
- Flora Park High School
- Sitintile Secondary School
- Barberton High School
- Westering High School
