South African teams double-up on gold at CAF Schools qualifiers
Edendale Technical High and the Ubuntu Football Academy produced title-winning performances at the CAF African Schools Football, Cosafa qualifiers on Saturday in Harare to record an historic double for the South African sides, who were crowned the regional champions for a second year in a row.
The reward for the winners is a place at the CAF African Schools Football Championship next year where they will face off against the continent’s top teams.
Coach Ntombifuthi Khumalo’s girls’ team, Edendale Technical, defended their title in style after defeating Botswana 3-1 in the title-decider. A brace from Khwezi Khoza, the event’s top goal scorer, with 11 to her name, and a strike from Rethabile Molefe, sealed the victory for a team which was clearly the most dominant and consistent outfit on display.
Prior to the Cosafa qualifiers, Khumalo had revealed that she was not entirely satisfied with her charges’ performances at the 2022 event. Although they won, she said, they were not at their best. This time around, there will surely be more than enough reasons for the coach to feel satisfied with her squad’s level of play.
Edendale’s run to the final was spectacular, as they overwhelmed one opponent after another. In four matches, they netted 28 times without conceding. That record was testament to the team’s well-balanced and ruthlessly effective performances.
When Edendale conceded a goal to Botswana in the final, it was the only time that their defences were breached in five games.
“I am so happy,” coach Khumalo told safa.net after her team had defended their title. “It is mission accomplished, and we have won again.
“Thank you to all the people that have supported these young girls – the parents, the coaches, the South Africans who are behind us, and SAFA. I am asking all of you to continue to do more for them because they are the future of our country. We love you South Africa. Thank you.”
South Africa’s boys’ team, Cape Town’s Ubuntu Football Academy, had a tough challenge in front of them as they tried to follow in the footsteps of Clapham High, who won the title in 2022.
It was tough sledding for Ubuntu in the final, and at half-time Malawi enjoyed a one-goal lead, thanks to a superb volley from Okestar Kanyenda. In the second half, however, South Africa manufactured an equaliser through Rhys Ferguson, which sent the contest to a penalty shootout.
The tension should have been turned up to the max. Strangely, though, it was a slightly anti-climactic cruise to the title for South Africa from there. They scored from all of their kicks, while Malawi failed to score any of their penalties: Amos Nyirenda struck the crossbar, while Tinga Nkhoma and James Msongole had their efforts saved by goalkeeper Sabrie Losper.
SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan congratulated the South African representatives after their silverware-clinching performances on Saturday. “We are proud of the achievements of our boys and girls who completed the double in Zimbabwe,” he said.
“Schools have always been the bedrock of football development, and our two teams have shown we are moving in the right direction. This is a great Christmas present from our teams. Well done!”
There were further reasons for the South African sides to celebrate after Simama Inganathi was named the Player of the Tournament in the boys’ competition, while goalkeeper Sabrie Losper took home the Golden Glove. South Africa’s Rhys Ferguson and Zimbabwe’s El Shaddai Sadomba shared the Golden Boot, with both netting four times. The tournament hosts, Zimbabwe, were the winners of the Fair Play award.
In the girls’ competition, South Africa’s Katleho Malebana was named the Player of the Tournament, Angel Zibula received the Golden Glove, and the prolific Khoza was the Golden Boot winner. Namibia received the Fair Play prize.
There was significant prize money in it for the top teams. The winning associations in the two categories walked away with $100 000, with the runners-up bagging $75 000, and the third-place finishers $50 000.
The awards were decided on by the Technical Study Group at the tournament, which used data mined from the players’ performances in each match to make their determinations.
RESULTS
Girls’ Third-Place Play-Off
Mozambique 4 (Isabel Cuinhane 4) Namibia 0
Final
South Africa 3 (Khwezi Khoza 2, Rethabile Molefe) Botswana 1 (Amogelang
Sebotho)
Boys’ Third-Place Play-Off
Zimbabwe 1 (El Shaddai Sadomba) Namibia 0
Final
Malawi 1 (Okestar Kanyenda) South Africa 1 (Rhys Ferguson)
SA won 3-0 on penalties
TOURNAMENT STATISTICS
Boys
Matches Played: 22
Goals scored: 62
Biggest victory: South Africa 7 Angola 0 (Group B, December 14)
Most goals in a game: 7 – South Africa 7 Angola 0 (Group B, December 14)
Girls
Matches Played: 22
Goals scored: 83
Biggest victory: South Africa 14 Angola 0 (Group B, December 14)
Most goals in a game: 14 – South Africa 14 Angola 0 (Group B, December 14)
