Top dogs back to winning ways in Mancosa KZNHSFA League
The third round of the Mancosa KwaZulu-Natal High Schools Football Association (KZNHSFA) Coastal and Inland A Leagues, saw top dogs, like Glenwood High School, return to winning ways, rebounding from a recent defeat to Hillcrest High.
Glenwood, after going down 0-2 to Hillcrest, showed their champion spirit in a hard-fought win over Empangeni High on Tuesday.
It was an important win for Glenwood, the winners of the Coastal A-League in 2023 and 2024, especially after they finished 10th at the Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament, which did not meet their usual standards.
On Wednesday, Green Machine coach, Khaya Mgwengwe, told SuperSport Schools Plus that his team could have produced better results in Kimberley.
“We are proud of the work the boys put in under very difficult situations,” he said. “They had a tough schedule, playing three games in a space of six hours. That wasn’t easy.
“The competition was good. We lost only one game but won only one out of four, as well. So, there is a sense we could have done better. We certainly had opportunities to do so.
“It’s a trip we look forward to every year. We’re starting to prepare better for it, as well. It’s only a matter of time before we start making real noise there,” he added.
After quickly refocusing, Glenwood faced newly promoted Empangeni who were eager to create an upset on Tuesday. Glenwood, though, rose to the challenge, determined to rectify their previous setback.
A goal from Ukwazi Dludla sealed the win against Empangeni as Glenwood picked up three points.
They’re currently fourth in the standings. Port Shepstone High leads the way, followed by Westville Boys’ High and Hillcrest High. Sheppie has a full haul of nine points after three wins on the trot
Mgwengwe told SuperSport Schools Plus that Tuesday’s victory over Empangeni High was important for Glenwood in many ways.
“It was a disappointing result the week before against a very good Hillcrest side,” he admitted. “We needed the win more than the performance. We are still in the running in the standings. We couldn’t afford to lose more points,” he explained.
Mgwengwe said Tuesday’s clash was tough. “Our boys are still recovering [from the Absa Wildeklawer Tournament], so we knew the performance wasn’t going to be there.
“We needed the attitude to be on point. We were proven correct. Empangeni played hard and played well. They were stronger in challenges than us. They got numbers around the ball and made it difficult.
“Honestly speaking, I think a draw would have been a fair result.”
He also praised the effort of the Zululand side, saying: “We tried to use our set plays but Empangeni stood firm. I believe they will still have a say in what happens at the end of the season.”
As the defending champion, there is a target on his team’s back, Mgwengwe said.
“We have won this competition two years in a row and been in three of the last four finals. We are aware that most teams probably give more against us, but we enjoy that. It is not something we as a coaching team talk about,” he said.
“We have a group of players who are different from what we have had before. Our job is to put them together and try to get the best results we can.
“Most importantly, we want them to enjoy putting on the first team jersey because one day you will never put it on again. That in itself is enough motivation for the boys,” he concluded.
In other Coastal A-League matches played on Tuesday, Westville Boys’ High School decisively defeated Hillcrest 3-0, with Nkanyezi Mkhungo scoring twice and Dayyan Fudu contributing the third goal.
Port Shepstone stayed on the winning path with a tight 1-0 win over Northwood.
The Durban school has made a stuttering start to the season and, after three matches, they have yet to earn a point. With few opportunities remaining, the Knights will have to be focused on winning and nothing less.
Bechet and Pinetown ended their match in a 1-1 stalemate.
Inland A-League
In the Inland A-League, the table is starting to take on a familiar shape. Maritzburg College leads the way after accumulating seven points from three matches. They are closely followed by the defending champion, Carter High School, who occupy second with five points.
Maritzburg College underwhelmed at the Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament and exited in the group stages. They were chasing a change of fortune on Tuesday. They got it with a convincing victory over Ixopo Secondary School, on Barns Field.
Ixopo suffered a tough defeat, losing 1-3 to the Red, Black, and White, with Malachi Momple netting a goal for the winners, Mazithi Qasha converting a penalty for College, and Nzolo Ngcemu rounding off the goal-scoring for College.
In a key contest, Carter High School secured a 2-1 victory over Edendale Technical High School, with goals from Adunyiswe Sibiya and Babalo Ntlasantsana, while Manelisi Shezi netted a consolation goal for Edendale.
In other fixtures of the Inland A-League, Alexandra High School secured a 1-0 victory over Linpark, thanks to a goal from Brooklyn Williams. Newton also secured a 1-0 victory over Haythorne Secondary School.
Note: More Mancosa KZNHSFA Coastal and Inland League matches will take place on Thursday, 8 May, and Friday, 9 May. They will be streamed on the SuperSport Schools App and DStv Channel 216.
RESULTS
Coastal A
Bechet 1-1 Pinetown
Westville 3-0 Hillcrest
Port Shepstone 1-0 Northwood
Glenwood 1-0 Empangeni
Inland A
Newton 1-0 Haythorne
Maritzburg College 3-1 Ixopo Secondary School
Carter High School 2-1 Edendale Technical High School
Alexandra High School 1-0 Linpark
Forthcoming Fixtures
Coastal B: Thursday, 8 May
Venue: Queensburgh High School
Field 1
15:10 – Amanzimtoti vs Redwood
16:15 – Ashton Ballito A Team vs New Forest
Field 2
15:10 – Sastri College vs Queensburgh High School
16:15 – Durban High School vs Grosvenor
Coastal C: Friday, 9 May
Venue: Queensburgh High School
Field 1
15:10 – George Campbell vs Canaan College
16:15 – Durban Academy vs Ashton Ballito B Team
Field 2
16:15 – Birdswood vs Brettonwood
Inland B: Thursday, 8 May
Venue: Alexandra High School
Field 1
15:10 – Alexandra High School B Team vs Northbury
16:15 – Thornhill vs Maritzburg Christian School
Field 2
15:10 – Riverwood College vs ML Sultan
16:15 – Heritage Academy vs Maritzburg College B Team
Inland C: Friday, 9 May
Venue: AB Jackson
15:10 – Maritzburg College C Team vs Newton B Team
16:05 – Umvuzo vs Michaelhouse
