Recap: Round one of the Curro Halala Cup
People have been talking about it, and it has finally arrived. The Curro Halala Cup made its debut nationwide this week, with matches aired on SuperSport Schools Channel 216 on DStv and the SuperSport Schools App.
The first day of the competition, on Wednesday, fulfilled expectations.
HeronBridge College was the first team eliminated from the tournament after suffering a defeat against The King’s School Linbro Park. In a high-scoring affair, King’s Linbro advanced after a comfortable 5-2 victory.
Curro Soshanguve moved on to the next round after having to go to a penalty shootout against Curro Pretoria. The sides shared a 1-1 draw, but Curro Soshanguve got through 5-4 from the spot.
In the Western Cape, Curro Somerset West and Camps Bay High School also progressed, with Curro Somerset West scoring a thrilling 4-3 win over Curro Sandown, while Camps Bay High School outplayed Somerset College, winning 4-1.
Curro Mbombela was eliminated by Sitintile Secondary School, going down 0-1 in a match played at Curro Nelspruit, while Curro Clayville moved on with a tight 1-0 win over Meridian Karino.
Westenburg Secondary School saw off Sebitja Secondary School, winning 3-0, and Louis Trichardt High School claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Happy Day Combined School.
On Thursday, Clapham High School joined Wednesday’s winners in advancing to the next round of the Curro Halala Cup.
In a much-anticipated Tshwane derby, Clapham faced Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School at HeronBridge College. The defending champions of the Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament and current titleholders of the IberCup South Africa reigned supreme, scoring a 2-0 victory.
In another game at HeronBridge College, Curro Thatchfield delivered an outstanding performance to eliminate The King’s School Robin Hills by a 3-1 margin.
Playing at home, the reigning champions of the Kay Motsepe Soccer Schools championship, Northern Academy, advanced to the next phase after defeating HTS Tom Naude 2-0.
Along with Clapham, Northern Academy, coached by the seasoned Hendrick Mukwevho, is regarded as one of the title favourites, based on their impressive track record and championship mindset.
In another match at Northern Academy, Florapark Comprehensive High School defeated The Future Comprehensive High School 4-1.
In the Western Cape, the opening match of the second day of first-round fixtures featured Meridian Pinehurst at Curro Century City.
At the end of regulation time, the teams were level at 2-2, but Meridan Pinehurst claimed victory 4-2 in a penalty shootout.
Milnerton High School, meanwhile, enjoyed a comfortable victory, dominating against Wellington College to move on after a 5-1 win.
Wednesday’s and Thursday’s winners will be in action in the next round of the Curro Halala Cup in May.
RESULTS
Wednesday, 23 April
Westenburg Secondary School 3-0 Sebitja Secondary School
Louis Trichardt High School 1-0 Happy Day Combined School
Curro Somerset West 4-3 Curro Sandown
Camps Bay High School 4-1 Somerset College
The King’s School Linbro Park 5-2 Heronbridge College
Curro Soshanguve (5) 1-1 (4) Curro Pretoria
Sitintile Secondary School 1-0 Curro Mbombela
Curro Clayville 1-0 Meridian Karino
Thursday, 24 April
Florapark Comprehensive High School 4-1 The Future Comprehensive High School
Northern Academy 2-0 Tom Naude Technical High School
Meridian Pinehurst (4) 2-2 (2) Curro Century City
Milnerton High School 5-1 Westville College
Curro Thatchfield 3-1 The King’s School Robin Hills
Clapham High School 2-0 Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School
