Maritzburg College has, once again, claimed the Mancosa KwaZulu-Natal High Schools Football (KZNHSFA) Second Term, Inland A-League title.
On Wednesday, on Barns Field, at College, the home team scored a 2-0 win over their local rival, Carter High, to lay claim to the silverware.
After a shaky start, the Red, Black, and Whitefound their feet and produced an outstanding performance.
They put Carter under heavy pressure throughout the match, leading to the 2024 winners regularly ceding possession, struggling to clear the ball, and then, when they did make it to the other end of the field, missing chances.
At halftime, it was goalless, but College wasted no time after the restart and quickly seized the lead in the second stanza.
Wandile Zondi gave the home supporters what they wanted to, scoring moments after the seconds half was underway. Then, vice-captain Mazithi Qasha, a prolific and reliable source of goals for College for the past three seasons, added a second to give the home team some breathing room.
Qasha went on to win the Golden Boot, topping the league’s goal-scoring chart with seven to his name.
The second half belonged to Maritzburg College, with co-vice-captain Malachi Momple coming close to netting a third. Inhle Myeni, Carter’s goalkeeper, denied him, however, with an impressive save, which deflected the ball into the side-netting.
With only a minute remaining, Carter High was awarded a penalty, which offered them a faint hope of rescuing a draw.
Anele Zuma took the spot kick, but College’s captain, CJ Sukraj, outstanding in shootouts, denied Zuma to firmly slam the door on Carter’s slim hopes.
Another standout player for College was centre-back BilalParak. He was a force on defence, safeguarding the backline with authority to the earn the Man of the Match award.
College’s victory on Wednesday marked the first title for coach Caniggia Garaba. He succeeded Chemon Petersen after the Maritzburg College old boy enjoyed a hugely fruitful time in charge, which included a memorable treble-winning season in 2023.
Since 2018, College has contested every final of the Inland A-League. Maritzburg College’s Director of Soccer, Nic Haswell, proudly informed SuperSport Schools Plus that Wednesday’s title win was their fifth in the KZN Inland u19 A-League.
The late Bafana Bafana coach and Glenwood High Old Boy, Clive Barker with his trademark aeroplane celebration. Photo: Matthew Ashton/EMPICS/Getty Images
Glenwood High School will pay tribute to the late South African legend and old boy, Clive Barker, during the inaugural u16 Clive Barker Soccer Festival, to be played on Saturday, 21 June, at the school.
Clive Barker, born on 23 June 1944, passed away on 10 June 2023. He was a national football treasure and led Bafana Bafana, the South African National Team, to its first and only African Cup of Nations (Afcon) title in 1996, two years after South Africa gained its first democratically elected government under President Nelson Mandela.
That momentous success came a year after the Springboks won the Rugby World Cup for a first time, defeating their long-standing arch-rival, the All Blacks, 15-12 at Ellis Park Stadium, in Johannesburg.
Securing the 1996 Afcon title, with a 2-0 win over Tunisia in the final, was a crowning achievement for a nation and a team that had been readmitted to the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) on 7 July 1992.
At the age of 17, in 1959, Barker played rugby matches on Saturdays for Glenwood and represented Durban City on Sundays.
His playing career included wearing the jerseys of Durban City and Durban United in the 1960s. He underwent a trial with the English club, Leicester City. However, an injury curtailed his playing career prematurely.
Barker attended Glenwood from 1958 to 1961. He was a multi-talented sportsman in his younger days, playing first team cricket in 1960 and 1961 and first team rugby in 1961.
Nicknamed “Shortie”, he played Natal Schools Football in 1960 and was included in the SA Schools football team that same year. In 1961 he played for Durban City Colts, and for Durban City in 1962. From 1963 to 1967 he played for Durban United.
It is, however, his managerial career that stands out. He took charge of many top teams, including AmaZulu, Juventus Durban, Manning Rangers, Maritzburg United, Mpumalanga Black Aces, and, of course, Bafana Bafana.
Khaya Mngwengwe, the Director of Soccer at Glenwood and coach of the Green Machine, told SuperSport Schools Plus that the inaugural Clive Barker Soccer Tournament is something the school is extremely enthusiastic about: “It’s something I have thought about for a couple of years, and, finally, it has come to light,” he said.
The event will honour a football legend whose name will always be remembered, said Mngwengwe.
This year, the festival will take the form of a one-day tournament. Next year, however, it is planned to be an event that span several days. The intention is to also invite schools from other provinces, Mngwengwe said.
Glenwood is one of the powerhouses of schools’ football in KZN, and with the school promoting the Clive Barker Soccer Tournament, it has the potential to become a significant addition to the schools’ football calendar.
“It’s a big dream, and we hope to have different age groups in the future,” Mngwengwe said.
He encouraged spectators to attend in large numbers at the home of the Green Machine – make it a family occasion, make use of the school’s braai facilities, and turn it into a festive occasion to celebrate the life of a great Glenwood old boy.
“We looked forward to hosting everyone,” he said.
The participating schools include Westville Boys’ High and Hillcrest High, whose first teams are set to face each other in the final of the Mancosa KwaZulu-Natal High Schools Football Association (KZNHSFA) Second Term, Coastal A-League.
Maritzburg College will also be in action. Their first team will face Carter High in the Mancosa KZNHSFA Inland A-League final on Wednesday, 11 June, at Barns Field at 15:30. That’s a rematch of the 2024 final, which was won by Carter High.
Northwood School, which narrowly avoided relegation on the final day of last week’s Mancosa Coastal A-League fixtures, will hope for better fortunes for their u16 side.
Other participants in the Clive Barker Soccer Festival include Durban Academy, Port Shepstone High, Queensburgh High, Pinetown Boys’ High, and the hosts, the Green Machine.
GROUPS
Group A
Glenwood High, Westville Boys’ High, Queensburgh High, and Pinetown Boys’ High
Group B
Durban Academy, Northwood School, Hillcrest High, Maritzburg College
FIXTURES
Dixon’s Field
Group A
09:30 – Glenwood High vs Westville Boys’ High
11:30 – Glenwood High vs Queensburgh High
13:30 – Pinetown Boys’ High vs Glenwood High
Group B
08:30 – Maritzburg College vs Hillcrest High
10:30 – Durban Academy vs Maritzburg College
12:30 – Northwood School vs Maritzburg College
Basson’s Field
Group A
09:30 – Pinetown Boys’ High vs Queensburgh High
11:30 – Westville Boys’ High vs Pinetown Boys’ High
13:30 – Westville Boys’ High vs Queensburgh High
Group B
08:30 – Durban Academy vs Northwood School
10:30 – Northwood School vs Hillcrest High
12:30 – Durban Academy vs Hillcrest High
The race is on in the Gauteng Women’s Development League (GWDL), with SAFA Academy now topping the table.
They vaulted to the summit of the standings after a massive 14-0 win against Highlands Park on Sunday.
After 10 matches and 10 wins, SAFA Academy has the maximum 30 points. Those victories include a win over Mamelodi Sundowns, who previously topped the table. ‘Downs are three points adrift, on 27, also after 10 outings.
Sunday’s big loss was the second in succession for Highlands Park, who were overwhelmed 10-0 by Sundowns in May.
Highlands Park, incredibly, was in third place in the standings before their loss to SAFA Academy. Now, they’ve slipped to fourth spot, with Remember Sport Elite Academy (RESA) moving up after a 1-0 win over Refilwe FC in which Lesedi Motaung scored the match-winner.
In other matches on Sunday, Lebohang Malatji‘s two goals for Kempton Park FC lifted them to a 2-0 victory over Edenvale FC. The win, their fifth of the season, leaves Kempton Park in eighth place.
Kenneth FC, who are positioned in the lower half of the table, in 12th place, produced an impressive showing against Dinoko Rondebult FC, scoring a decisive 6-0 victory.
Ditshwanelo Mazibe netted twice, while Mpho Mhlongo, Kholofelo Rasetlapa, Poppy Ramaboya, and Boitumelo Mangwane also scored in the one-sided win.
Hellenic Falcons bagged a big scalp, handing JVW a 2-0 defeat.
GWDL Results
RESA 1-0 Refilwe FC
Kenneth FC 6-0 Dinoko Rondebult FC
Kempton Park FC 2-0 Edenvale FC
Hellenic Falcons 2-0 JVW
SAFA Academy 14-0 Highlands Park FC
Eswatini National and AmaZulu FC forward. Photo. Eswatini National Football Team
Alakhe Mdluli, nicknamed “Smiley” during his time at Glenwood High School, is a Liswati footballer who plays both as a midfielder and a forward.
He represents the Eswatini National Football Team and plays for the AmaZulu in the DStv Diski Challenge (DDC).
Mdluli was first introduced to the SuperSport Schools and SuperSport Schools Plusthrough his outstanding performances and leadership of the Green Machine.
In 2024, he captained coach Khaya Mngwengwe’sside to a second consecutive KZN Coastal A-League title, beating Westville Boys’ High 1-0 in the final.
He was also a member of the Glenwood team that secured the league title in 2023, and he excelled at the Primo Big 10 in 2024, where Glenwood High defeated Durban High School (DHS) 1-0 in the final, to do the double.
Following his departure from Glenwood, Mdluli has turned out for AmaZulu’s DDC team, making his debut for against the Soweto giants, Orlando Pirateslast year at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, KZN.
Mdluli’s international football career is also progressing. He has represented Eswatini at both the u17 and u20 levels and was part of the kingdom’s team that contested the u20 Cosafa tournament in Mozambique late last year.
During that competition, he scored two goals and provided an assist in Eswatini’s opening match, a 5-4 win over the host nation, Mozambique, which earned him the Man of the Match award.
Despite that early success, Eswatini didn’t progress beyond the group stages. Ultimately, the title went to South Africa, who subsequently won the u20 Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 defeat of Morocco in the final, in Egypt, in May.
Alakhe Mdluli. Photo. Supplied.
A further step up the ladder beckons for Mdluli – a moment his father, Siboniso Mdluli, characterised as graceful – with his selection for the senior Eswatini national team, known as Sihlangu SeMnikati, for the first time during the ongoing 2025 Cosafa Cup, which is being played in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
After the selection, Mdluli, told the Eswatini National Football media team that he is eagerly anticipating the side’s opening match against Madagascar on Monday, 9 June, at Seisa Ramabodu Stadium.
“Given the opportunity, I will do my best. With the presence of the experienced players, I have learned a lot. My main objective for now is to get game time in the national team,” the player said.
Madagascar heads into the match having beaten Tanzania in their opening match. It will be Eswatini’s first outing of the championship.
Khaya Mgwengwe, Mdluli’s former coach at Glenwood, said he will be following his former captain’s progress in the Cosafa tournament closely.
He said he hoped Mdluli would be given an opportunity to play, not only on Monday but throughout the Cosafa tournament. That would represent another important milestone in the former Glenwood skipper’s football career.
The finals of the Mancosa KwaZulu-Natal High Schools Football Association (KZNHSFA)Second- Term Coastal and Inland Leagues take place this week.
One of the finals is already in the books, with Brettonwood High School claiming the Coastal C-League title on Friday to earn promotion to the B-League next season.
KZN CoastalA-League
On Tuesday, in the Coastal A-League, Westville Boys’ High, beaten in the 2024 final by Glenwood High, will be aiming to go one step further this time around. They last won the title in 2022, with the Green Machinebeing crowned the champion in the following two years.
They face a determined and youthful Hillcrest High, who are through to the title game for the first time in their history. Their ascension has been one of the most exciting stories of the season.
If Hillcrest is to go all the way, they’ll have to take care of Dayyan Fudu, the Westville forward, who has been deadly for the Griffin in front of goal.
Hillcrest High’s Ayedan Whitby and Bayanda Ntombela are also among the players to keep an eye on in the final. They’ve been at the forefront of their team’s challenge.
There are several layers to the storylines leading up to the title deciding game. Westville has the advantage of experience in playing finals, but matches are played on the field and not on paper and Hillcrest High will be eager to make history.
In the Inland A-League final, Maritzburg College, which has played in every league final since 2018, will once again be chasing the title when they tackle Carter High on Barns Field, at College, on Wednesday.
In 2024, it was Carter who came out on top, with their captain Ntuthuko Mnguni playing a pivotal role and scoring the only goal of the contest. He was named the man of the match.
The College vs Carter rivalry is the biggest in the region and with a trophy at stake the tension will be dialled up to 10 on Wednesday.
While they are both well-coached and outstanding teams in their own right, finals can often turn on the performances of a single player, as was the case with Carter’s Mnguni last year. College’s Mazithi Qasha, a prolific goal scorer, could be one to watch in the title decider.
Other finals
In other contests for silverware, Queensburgh High hosts Durban High School (DHS) in the Coastal B-League final on Thursday at 15:30.
The home team topped the Coastal B-League table with 17 points, posting an undefeated record of five wins and two draws. DHS was second on the log with 14 points, just one point ahead of Grosvenor Boys’ High.
The final of the Inland B-League should be fascinating. ML Sultan had put together a run of six wins on the trot until they faced Northbury Park last Thursday, with Northbury claiming a 3-2 win to book their place in the title game against the same opponents.
With promotion to the Inland A-League on the line, there is plenty to play for and, coming off their only loss of their campaign, ML Sultan will be chomping at the bit to reverse their most recent result.
In the final of the Inland C-League, Umvuzo takes on Michaelhouse for promotion to the Inland B-League in 2026.
Umvuzo heads into the contest as the favourite. With 16 points after their round-robin matches, they doubled up second-placed Michaelhouse’s eight. That, of course, counts for nothing in the final. Only the result will determine which team moves up next year.
FIXTURES
Tuesday, 10 June: Coastal A-League Final
Queensburgh High School
Field 1
15:30 – Westville Boys’ High vs Hillcrest High
Wednesday, 11 June: Inland A-League Final
Barns Field (Maritzburg College)
15:30 – Maritzburg College vs Carter High School
Thursday, 12 June: Coastal B-League Final
Queensburgh High School
Field 1
15:30 – Queensburgh High School vs Durban High School (DHS)
Brettonwood High School, the Mancosa KZNHSFA Coastal C-League Champions, earned promotion to the Coastal B-League with their title win. Photo. Supplied.
Brettonwood High School are the champions of the Mancosa KwaZulu-Natal High Schools Football Association (KZNHSFA) Coastal C-League.
They lifted the trophy on Friday following a comfortable 3-0 win over Canaan College at Queensburgh High School.
Coastal C-League
Both schools, Brettonwood and Canaan College, finished with 13 points after the five round-robin matches, with both winning four and drawing one. That draw had come when they met, with their first meeting ending 0-0.
In the final, though, Brettonwood had the upper hand, scoring three goals without conceding. The school from Umlazi was unable to conjure up similar offensive success.
While Brettonwood lifted the Coastal C-League title, Ayabonga Radebe, from Canaan College, received the top goal scorer award after netting five times during the season.
Not only did Brettonwood claim the Coastal C-League title, but the victory also earned the school promotion to the Coastal B-League in 2026.
Unfortunately for Ashton Ballito A, Brettonwood’s promotion comes at their expense. They’ve been relegated for the 2026 season.
Inland C-League
In the Inland C-League, Umvuzo finished the season at the summit of the log table with 16 points after defeating Newton B 2-0 on Friday.
Michaelhouse, who finished with eight points, will face Umvuzo in the C-League final despite losing their last game against Maritzburg College C. The Red, Blackand Whitescored a tight 1-0 win to finish third on the log with seven points.
Newton B propped up the standings, picking up only two points after two draws and four losses.
The Coastal C-League final will be played on – drum roll, please – Friday, the 13th, at AB Jackson.
The final will be the third time the sides have met this season. On 9 May, Umvuzo and Michaelhouse drew 1-1. More recently, on 30 May, Umvuzo triumphed 2-0.
Again, not only will the league title be at stake, but promotion, too, will be on the line.
RESULTS
Coastal C Final
Brettonwood 3-0 Canaan College
Inland C
Umvuzo 2-0 Newton B
Maritzburg College C 1-0 Michaelhouse
The winners of the primary schools’ soccer tournament in 2024, Macambini Primary School. Photo. Supplied.
Founded in 2022 by a group of black professionals and chaired by Thulani Sithole, the Mhleli Foundation, which originated in Mandeni, KwaZulu-Natal, was created from a collective aspiration to address the social issues affecting local youth.
Using sports as a bridge to education
Drawing from personal experience with those challenges and a strong dedication to community development, Brand and Communications Spokesperson for the Mhleli Foundation, Thabile Malebo, told SuperSport Schools Plus that the foundation has selected sports as its main means to engage with youth, acknowledging its ability to inspire, unite, and educate.
The foundation’s guiding motto, “Sports for Education,” reflects a simple but powerful philosophy – a well-balanced student should thrive both on the field and in the classroom.
Through the establishment of a classroom environment that fosters both physical and academic development, the Mhleli Foundation seeks to empower young individuals and generate genuine opportunities for personal and educational progress.
Malebo said that when the initiative started in 2022, South Africa, like the rest of the world, was recovering from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Schools were slowly regaining normalcy, but sports programmes, once a vital part of school life, had suffered immensely. The foundation stepped in at just the right time, and the concept was quickly embraced by local schools that were eager for revitalisation,” she said.
The foundation collaborates closely with both primary and secondary schools through a local organising committee. The committee consists of the sports coordinators from the schools, who assist in planning all activities leading up to the finals in June, which are held in honour of Youth Month.
Mhleli Foundation Tournament: More than just a game
The highlight of the foundation’s annual calendar is the Mhleli Foundation Netball and Soccer Tournament, which has grown to become a cornerstone even in the Mandeni school sports scene.
With a total of R100 000 up for grabs, winning teams not only earn bragging rights but also receive educational support that leaves a lasting legacy in their schools.
What’s unusual about the Mhleli Foundation Tournament’s approach is that rather than giving out cash, the foundation allows each winning school to determine its most pressing educational need. The resources are then purchased and delivered directly to the school, a concept the foundation proudly calls, “Victory for Knowledge.”
“The idea is simple: the teams win the game, but the entire school wins the reward,” Sithole, the Chairperson of the foundation, said.
Sport as a catalyst for academic growth
Sithole informed SuperSport Schools Plus that studies have consistently shown that sports have a substantial effect on educational results by improving discipline, concentration, attendance, and even academic achievement.
The Mhleli Foundation has witnessed this directly, and South Africa has a historical record of illustrating the connection between sports and enhanced education through numerous initiatives and observed advantages.
School sports programmes, especially those emphasising physical activity and education, play a vital role in fostering better academic results, character growth, and social skills among students.
“This correlation isn’t coincidental. Participation in structured sports fosters a sense of responsibility, time management, and goal setting – skills that naturally translate into better performance in the classroom,” Sithole explained.
Through the Mhleli Foundation Tournament, many learners have found motivation to excel both on the field and in their academic pursuits. By connecting sports with educational incentives, the foundation reinforces a compelling message – “Excellence in one area can lead to opportunity in another.”
Past and Future of the Mlheli Foundation Soccer Tournament
In 2024, Matigulu High defeated Somshoko High 1-0 in a tightly contested final to earn the title of tournament champions.
In the Primary school championship, Macambini Primary secured a 2–1 victory against Thekelimfundo Primary to claim gold.
The finals of this year’s Mhleli Foundation Soccer Tournament are set to be aired on the SuperSport Schools App on Thursday, 12 June and Friday, 13 June. They have generated significant interest, Sithole said.
“With schools’ pride, community support, and educational advancement on the line the Mhleli Foundation is not just a celebration of sport but a celebration of hope, growth, and the power of youth.”
One of the teams to keep an eye on is Mathubesizwe High School, which is making its third consecutive appearance in the final stages of the tournament. In 2022, they finished third. The following year, they were crowned the champions. In 2025, they have aspirations of claiming the title again.
Udumo High School, a team that embodies both skill and heritage, has a particularly strong connection to the Mhleli Foundation. Four current board members of the foundation – Thulani Sithole, Collin Nkosi, Musa Mdletshe, and Ralph Nhlabathi – were once players for Udumo High. Dumi Nene, and Malebo, also attended the school.
The stage is prepared for an exciting Youth Month celebration, where talent, tradition, and purpose converge on the field.
Sithole expressed gratitude to the many partners who have made the Mhleli Foundation’s work possible. They include Milo, with whom they have partnered for the last two years, the Department of Education, the Department of Sports and Culture, Digital Council Africa, KwaZulu-Natal Economic Regulatory Authority (KZNERA), House of Brands, SuperSport Schools, as a broadcaster and media partner, the Mandeni Municipality, and Destinoh Lubes.
FIXTURES
Thursday, 12 June: Primary Schools
Ngcedomhlophe Stadium (Mandeni)
09:00 – Ebendle Primary vs Gcwala Primary School
Final
11:30 – Mandeni Primary School vs Emthaleni Primary School
Feature Match
14:00 – Mangosuthu University vs Mandeni Celtics
Friday, 13 June: High Schools
Ngcedomhlophe Stadium (Mandeni)
Third Place
09:00 – Mgandeni High School vs Matigulu High School
Final
11:30 – Udumo High School vs Mathubesizwe High School
Feature Match
14:00 – Durban University of Technology vs Mandeni Squad
The round-robin fixtures of the Coastal and Inland B-Leagues of the KZN Schools High Schools Football Association (KZNHSFA) League concluded on Thursday, with Queensburgh High, Durban High School (DHS), ML Sultan, and NorthburyPark securing their places in the league finals.
Coastal B-League
After playing to a 0-0 stalemate against New Forest High in their last match, Queensburgh High concluded their assignments with an unbeaten record – five wins and two draws.
They’ll face DHS for the title, with the huge prize of promotion to the Coastal A-League in 2026 on the line. The Horseflies earned their place in the title decider after scoring a narrow 2-1 win over Sastri College.
In a crucial clash at the bottom of the table, Amanzimtoti ran out 3-1 winners over Ashton Ballito A to finish in seventh place on the log. That loss means that Ashton Ballito, after recording one draw and six losses, will be relegated.
Grosvenor Boys’ High picked up a 2-0 win over Redwood College.
Inland B-League
In KZN Inland action, ML Sultan’s 100 percent record was brought to an end by Northbury Park, who pulled off a 3-2 win to book a place against the same side, ML Sultan, in the Inland B final. Nonetheless, ML Sultan finished top of the standings with a haul of 21 points from seven wins.
The loss to Northbury Park would have stung, but, if there was a time to lose and an opponent to lose against, it was Thursday’s game against Northbury Park. ML Sultan’s place in the final had already been secured, and the setback against Northbury will serve as a warning and motivation for ML Sultan that they will need to be at their best in the title decider.
Add in the fact that a place in the KZN Inland A-League is up for grabs in the title game, to be played on Thursday, 12 June, and they’ll be ready for the rematch.
Maritzburg College B finished in third place after a 1-0 win over Thornhill. The Maritzburg College 1st team will face Carter High School on Wednesday 11 June, in the final of the Inland A-League.
Alexandra High B suffered a 1-3 loss at home against Heritage Academy, while Maritzburg Christian School (MCS) ended their season with a 1-1 draw against Riverwood College.
RESULTS
Coastal B
Grosvenor 2-0 Redwood
DHS 2-1 Sastri
Amanzimtoti 3-1 Ashton Ballito A
New Forest 0-0 Queensburgh High
Inland B
Heritage Academy 3-1 Alexandra High B
MCS 1-1 Riverwood
Maritzburg College B 1-0 Thornhill
Northbury Park 3-2 ML Sultan
Forthcoming Fixtures
Thursday, 12 June: Coastal B Final
Queensburgh High School
Field 1
15:30 – Queensburgh High School vs Durban High School
Westville High Boys’ forward, Dayyan Fudu has had a wonderful season, scoring goals for fun to help his side into another final of the Coastal A-League. Photo: Dayyan Fudu on Instagram.
The MancosaKwaZulu-Natal High Schools Football Association (KZNHSFA) Second-Term Coastal and Inland Leagues have delivered fantastic competition this season, especially in the Coastal competition, where the traditional powers have been challenged and stretched.
Coastal A-League
Hillcrest High has crafted a fairytale run to the final of the league for the first time in the school’s history. They’ll face Westville Boys’ High on Tuesday, 10 June, for the title.
Based on their performances in past seasons, few would have anticipated what Hillcrest High has been able to achieve this year. However, look at where we stand – we, as football enthusiasts, fans, writers, and commentators, are in awe of what coach Cayle Marillierhas accomplished by leading a very young squad to the final of the Coastal A-League, which in recent seasons has belonged to Westville, and Glenwood High.
With any of the top four teams in with a shot at qualifying for the final, Tuesday’s last round of round-robin matches, which featured the top four in action against one another – Hillcrest High vs Port Shepstone and Westville Boys’ High vs the two-time defending champion, Glenwood – was for high stakes.
Hillcrest High played to a tight 1-1 draw against Sheppie, while Westville came from a goal down late in their match to grab a 1-1 draw with Glenwood, which eliminated the Green Machine on goal difference.
Westville celebrated the draw, as it lifted their points’ tally to 17 and first place in the standings. Hillcrest High finished second with 16 points, which was matched by Glenwood, who miss out on the final after making it for three seasons in succession. Port Shepstone rounded out the top four with 13 points.
While the upper section of the table generated excitement, there was, also, great anxiety at the opposite end of the standings where Northwood pulled off a Houdini act and escaped relegation by picking up their first win of the season, a 3-0 defeat of Pinetown Boys’ High, after they had previously suffered five losses and played to one draw.
From left to right: Bayanda Ntombela, Mohale Sakuneka, and Ayedan Whitby, who helped Hillcrest High qualify for the final of the Mancosa KZNHSFA Coastal A-League for the first time. Photo: Supplied.
Unfortunately for Empangeni High School, which was promoted from the Coastal B-League to the Coastal A-League this season, they’ll be returning to the B-League after going down 0-2 to Bechet.
The Zululand school finished with one less point than Northwood after winning one match and losing six.
Inland A-League
The last round of matches in the Inland A-League’s round-robin stage had no bearing on the finalists. It was already known that Maritzburg College and Carter High School had qualified for the title decider.
What was left to be decided, however, was which team would be relegated.
On Tuesday, at Barns Field, Haythorne Secondary confronted a daunting challenge, competing against the league-leading College and needing a win to avoid going down. They gave it a good go and battled their way to a 1-1 draw, but they needed three points and not one, and their relegation was confirmed.
Newton was also in the danger zone, and were beaten 5-2 by Edendale Technical High, but they had done just enough in previous rounds to finish seventh and remain in the A-League.
Edendale, newcomers to the A-League, completed their first season in the top-flight with 13 points, only one point behind second-placed Carter High.
Surprisingly, Carter was on the losing end on the final day, going down 0-2 to Alexandra High. Still, their place in the final next Tuesday had already been secured.
There was plenty of excitement in the match between Ixopo and Linpark, with Ixopo winning by the odd goal in five.
Results
Coastal A
Northwood 3-0 Pinetown
Bechet 2-0 Empangeni
Hillcrest High 1-1 Port Shepstone
Glenwood 1-1 Westville
Inland A
Edendale 5-2 Newton
Alexandra 2-0 Carter
Haythorne 1-1 Maritzburg College
Ixopo 3-2 Linpark
Final Table Standings
Coastal A-League
School
PLD
W
D
L
PTS
GF
GA
GD
1
Westville
7
5
2
0
17
12
4
8
2
Hillcrest High
7
5
1
1
16
12
6
6
3
Glenwood
7
5
1
1
16
12
7
5
4
Port Shepstone
7
4
1
2
13
12
6
6
5
Bechet
7
1
2
4
5
4
9
-5
6
Pinetown
7
1
2
4
5
7
14
-7
7
Northwood
7
1
1
5
4
7
9
-2
8
Empangeni
7
1
0
6
3
4
15
-11
Inland A-League
School
PLD
W
D
L
PTS
GF
GA
GD
1
Maritzburg College
7
5
2
0
17
15
4
11
2
Carter High
7
4
2
1
14
10
4
6
3
Edendale
7
4
1
2
13
12
5
7
4
Ixopo
7
2
3
2
9
11
10
1
5
Alexandra High
7
2
3
2
9
8
9
-1
6
Linpark
7
2
1
4
7
6
8
-2
7
Newton
7
1
1
5
4
3
19
-16
8
Haythorne
7
0
3
4
3
2
8
-6
Forthcoming Fixtures
Thursday, 5 June: Coastal B
Queensburgh High School
Field 1
15:10 – Grosvenor vs Redwood
16:15 – Amanzimtoti vs Ashton Ballito B
Field 2
15:10 – Durban High School vs Sastri
16:15 – New Forest vs Queensburgh High
Thursday, 5 June: Inland B
Alexandra High School
Field 1
15:00 – Alexandra High School B vs Heritage Academy
Field 2
15:00 – Maritzburg College B vs Thornhill
16:05 – ML Sultan vs Northbury Park
The Jeppe High School for Boys’ football team has put together a good run thus far in 2025.
As usual, the school’s 1st XI hockey side has caught the eye, as has their exciting rugby 1st XV, but, under Head of Football, Kevin McCarthy, the boys playing the beautiful game have also been making their mark. SuperSport Schools Plus chatted with McCarthy about Jeppe’s football programme.
McCarthy was emphatic about what is prioritised: “We are educators first, so that’s a very important aspect to the school itself, but also to me, that we focus on comprehensive education and that we focus on educating the boys on all aspects. Obviously, sport is a huge aspect of that.
“My passion for football has been very long standing. I’ve worked as a football coach previously at St Peter’s College, where I coached both the boys’ first team and girls’ first team.”
McCarthy has also worked at St David’s Marist Inanda, one of Gauteng leading football-playing schools. He’s a St David’s old boy, having attended the school from grade one to grade 12, and he witnessed how football was promoted there. St David’s was where he developed his passion for the sport, said McCarthy.
As a South African, he finds an inherent connection to football and appreciates the guidance he has received from different mentors over the years.
Earlier this season, Jeppe faced elite competition at the Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament, in Kimberley, and finished in 15th place. Their group included Navalsig, who finished fifth overall, Grey College, who placed sixth, Maritzburg College, and Selborne College.
In a pre-tournament match, Jeppe showed their quality when they defeated Westville Boys’ High 4-2. Next week, Westville will face Hillcrest High in the final of the KZNHSFA Coastal A-League. McCarthy said he saw taking on an established football power like Westville as an important test for his team.
Building relationships through football
With the support of teachers, football serves to build bonds between players, not only on the field but also off of it, McCarthy said. Some boys, he warned, rush to prioritise club football, but balance is necessary.
“At this stage in Gauteng, we are definitely losing because the boys are choosing clubs when it comes to a decision between major tournaments, for a club or a school, they will choose the club, unfortunately,” he said.
McCarthy has over 15 years of experience coaching young students His greatest joy comes from working with them, he said: “I absolutely love working with kids. That’s why I’m a teacher.”
The St David’s Marist Inanda team that won the Parktown u14 Soccer Tournament in 2014. Photo. Supplied
Merging his enthusiasm for education with his passion for football, he takes pleasure in being out in the open air.
“There is no better thing for me. When the rain comes in the afternoon, and I know I’m going to miss training, it does upset me, even though I’m going to get home a little bit earlier,” he revealed.
Some of his most successful years as a football coach came during his time at St. David’s Marist Inanda, alongside Chaid White.
“We were there from 2014 to 2017, and we worked together. We built some lovely youth sides there, and they often made finals.”
McCarthy remains in contact with some of the boys he coached at St David’s, observing their progress as they complete their degrees, including several of them who received football scholarships to United States’ universities.
In 2023, he also did well with the St Peter’s College girls’ first team, winning the women’s league. He recalled that during his initial three games as the coach of St Peter’s, the team suffered three big defeats, losing 0-11, 0-10, and 0-9, conceding 30 goals without scoring.
However, he successfully transformed that team into a competitive unit, and St Peter’s ultimately went on to enjoy victories over those same teams that had overwhelmed them.
In 2024, his u14 boys’ team was one of the top sides in the country, dropping only two games, one of them against the Tuks u15 team, and the other a narrow 2-3 defeat against Grey College.
Current Jeppe Squad
Turning to Jeppe’s first team, McCarthy said he feels good about the side. They have a very good energy about them.
“The boys have great relationships with each other and treat each other in a really positive way. They build each other up. There’s a lot of banter, but it never goes past that line that then goes into breaking boys down. I’m really positive about this team.”
McCarthy firmly believes that in the coming years, Jeppe will emerge as a formidable force in football, citing an abundance of talent, particularly in the younger age groups.
Jeppe High Schools for Boys XI Team. Photo. Supplied.
Jeppe has undergone significant changes in its coaching structure over the past two years, with Caesar Maphalla currently serving as the head coach of the first team.
McCarthy praised Maphalla, a former professional player, as an outstanding youth coach with extensive experience, including at the University of the Witwatersrand.
While football has not yet reached the heights of the Jeppe’s hockey and rugby programmes, he’s aiming to emulate their success and believes the side has what it takes to reach that level of consistent achievement.
McCarthy said the success of Jeppe’s other teams serve as inspiration for the football team to elevate themselves.
The race is on in the Gauteng Women’s Development League (GWDL), with SAFA Academy now topping the table.
The round-robin fixtures of the Coastal and Inland B-Leagues of the KZN Schools High Schools Football Association (KZNHSFA) League concluded on Thursday, with Queensburgh High, Durban High School (DHS), ML Sultan, and Northbury Park securing their places in the league finals.
