The South African U20 football team (Amajita) was crowned champions of the U20 Cosafa Championship on Saturday, 5 October, in Maputo, having seen off Zambia with a score of 2-0 in the final.
South Africa last claimed the championship title in 2018, marking a significant milestone as it has been six years since they last achieved this honour. This is the ninth Cosafa title for team South Africa in the Cosafa championship.
In addition, the South African team has successfully qualified for the upcoming 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations. They will be joined by Zambia, the finalist they overcame in the Cosafa Championship final, as both earned their spots in upcoming CAF tournament by reaching the finals of the Cosafa Championship.
The South African triumph was achieved through goals by Shandre Campbell, who plays for Club NXT in Belgium and is an inductee of the SuperSport Schools Class of 2023, and the consistently reliable Lee Jody Ahshene.
Amajita recorded an exceptional clean sheet throughout the tournament. Under the leadership of coach, Raymond Mdaka, the team scored an impressive 16 goals during the tournament, maintaining a powerful winning streak from the group stages through to the knockout rounds.
Topping off his remarkable performances in this year’s Cosafa championship, Campbell was named Player of the Tournament, while Ahshene won the Golden Boot for his four goals scored in the tournament. South African goalkeeper, Fletcher Smythe-Lowe, who maintained a clean sheet throughout the tournament, won the Golden Glove, having played a total of 450 minutes of football throughout the tournament.
Zambia heads home with the silver, as well as the Fair Play Prize.
South Africa’s run in the Cosafa Championship:
Group Stage:
South Africa 5-0 Malawi
South Africa 6-0 Lesotho
South Africa 2-0 Comoros
Semi-final:
South Africa 1-0 Angola
Final:
South Africa 2-0 Zambia
TOURNAMENT STATS:
Matches Played: 18
Goals scored: 55
Biggest victory: South Africa 6-0 Lesotho (Group C, 29 September)
Most goals in a game: 9 – Mozambique 4-5 Eswatini (Group A, 26 September)
The national South African U20 football team, Amajita, has secured their place in the 2025 CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations following a 1-0 victory over Angola in Maputo on Thursday, 3 October.
South Africa’s objective was achieved by the prolific scorer, Lee Jody Ahshene, who netted the only goal in the semi-final encounter with Angola, through an assist by Letlhaku Kutlwano.
This crucial goal propelled Amajita into the finals of the Cosafa Championship, securing an automatic qualification for the upcoming U20 Africa Cup of Nations set to take place next year. In the AFCON tournament, South Africa will compete against various other African nations, all vying to be crowned as the leading nation at U20 level on the continent.
Coach, Raymond Mdaka, along with his technical team and players, is currently directing attention towards the final of the Cosafa Championship, as there remains a title to contend for. Although South Africa has historically been regarded as one of the dominant forces in U20 football within the SADC region, the last time they secured the title was in 2018, which does not convey a favourable image of South African football.
South Africa has secured the Cosafa Championship title on eight occasions, with its inaugural victory in 2000. The nation has also had the honour of hosting this esteemed tournament for 11 consecutive years from 1999 to 2009.
The Amajita team has qualified for the Africa U20 Championship eight times in the past, achieving a silver medal in 1997. Additionally, they attained a third-place finish in 2019 and recorded two fourth-place finishes in 2009 and 2017.
Amajita aims to secure their ninth title in the finals of the Cosafa Championship, where they will compete against either Zimbabwe or Zambia, depending on the outcome of the semi-final match scheduled for today, Thursday, at 15:00.
The championship final will be contested on Saturday, 5 October.
Champions of the Kay Motsepe Schools Championship, Meridian Northern Academy U19 Team.
Meridian Northern Academy from Limpopo has been crowned as the premier school this past weekend following its victory in the Kay Motsepe Schools Championship held in Rustenburg, North West.
On Saturday, 28 September, Northern Academy’s U19 boys’ team won the Kay Motsepe Schools Championship in Rustenburg with a 2-1 victory over Eletsa Secondary from North West in the final, pocketing R3 million for infrastructure development. Additionally, the U13 boys team from the same school achieved a commendable third place in this esteemed national tournament.
Established in 2004 with the support of the South African Football Association (SAFA), the Kay Motsepe Schools Championship is the biggest national schools football tournament, uniting both public and independent schools from across South Africa in a quest for the title of school football champions. This year the tournament saw participation from 13 000 teams, representing over 5 000 schools, an initiative jointly funded by Sanlam and the Motsepe Foundation. With a total prize pool of R8.6 million, allocated for infrastructure development, the 2024 competition featured three divisions: U19 boys, U13 boys and U13 girls.
The Meridian Schools group is managed by Curro Holdings. Cobus Loubser, the CEO of Curro, is very proud of the Northern Academy teams.
“These champions exemplify the spirit of dedication and excellence of Northern Academy and underscores Curro’s commitment to invest in the potential of South Africa’s youth,” Loubser said.
Fergus Sampson, Business Executive for the Meridian schools, explained that the school that wins the U19 category nationally will receive R3 million for infrastructure development to benefit the teaching and learning at the school.
“Being part of the Curro Group means that we strive for excellence in everything we do, with exceptional results in academics, as well as in the sports and cultural arenas,” Sampson said.
“Our coaches have been working towards the goal of being the number one soccer school in South Africa for a while now. Northern Academy’s teams have been travelling to Gauteng since pre-season to prepare our teams. It was a big investment of time, energy and funds, but well worth it.”
“Limpopo is a province with exceptional talent, not just in soccer but in many other sports too,” Loubser added.
“Schools cannot always showcase their talent at a national level, but to have our teams come first and third in this competition shows that the talent is here. This tournament gave Northern Academy the opportunity to show that we have brilliant football players.
“We can’t wait to see where the sport will take these youngsters one day. We also wish them all the best with their final matric exams.”
The South African U20 men’s national team (Amajita) is through to the semi-finals of the Cosafa U20 Championship in Maputo after going unbeaten in the group phase.
On Tuesday, in their final Group C match, Amajita faced Comoros and recorded a 2-0 victory. Both goals were netted in the second half by midfielders, Kgosana Ofentse, from Kaizer Chiefs, and Siyabonga Mabena, from Mamelodi Sundowns.
In their previous match, on Sunday, Amajita recorded a resounding 6-0 victory over Lesotho. Shandre Campbell delivered an outstanding performance and earned man of the match recognition after scoring two goals, including a remarkable strike from outside the box.
Emile Witbooi also showcased his talent and entertained the fans in Maputo with his impressive skills. Additional goals were contributed by Lethlaku Kutlwano, Timba Sifiso, and Lee Jody Ahshene, along with an own goal from Lesotho, leaving South Africa as handsome winners.
Amajita were almost as dominant in their opening match on 27 September, defeating Malawi 5-0. South Africa showed in their opener that they are serious contenders, with Shakeel April netting a brace, while Lee Jody Ahshene, Kutlwano Letlhaku, Mbekezele Mbokazi added the rest.
South Africa’s reward is a midday meeting with Angola on Thursday at the ABB Stadium in Maputo. There is plenty at stake in the Mozambican capital, with the finalists of the Cosafa U20 Championship qualifying for the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
Alakhe Mdluli shines at Cosafa Cup
Alakhe Mdluli, standout skipper for Glenwood and Eswatini International.
Alakhe Mdluli, a talented student from Glenwood High School and a member of the South African professional club, AmaZulu FC, has made a notable impression at the Cosafa Cup. Unfortunately, Mdluli and the Eswatini national team were unable to advance to the semi-finals after missing a crucial opportunity to take the lead against Botswana on Monday, September 30.
The match resulted in a 0-0 draw, with Eswatini failing to capitalise on a penalty that could have secured their place in the semi-finals. Mdluli took responsibility for the penalty kick, but his attempt was thwarted by Botswana’s goalkeeper, Frank Seleke Low, who saved the shot to his right. Following the rebound, Eswatini had another opportunity, but the ball went wide of the target.
However, Mdluli exhibited outstanding skill to the fans present during the tournament’s opening match, where they defeated the host nation, Mozambique, by 5-4. Although they did not advance to the subsequent round of the tournament, Mdluli concluded their participation with two goals, one assist, and a man of the match accolade.
Refilwe FC’s new Director of Football, Claudia Raposo.
Refilwe Girls Football Club (FC), has made a strong move to boost the club by appointing the highly experienced coach and former player, Claudia Raposo, to the role of the new Director of Football.
The club’s founder, Lebo Ramodike, commented: “It’s truly an honour to have Claudia join Refilwe Girls Football Club. Her coaching style and passion for the development of women’s football align perfectly with our commitment to balancing sports and academic excellence over the next four years.
“Claudia will not only mentor upcoming female coaches but also work with us to integrate academic success with football excellence. Her extensive knowledge and experience will be invaluable in helping us grow and achieve our goal of having Refilwe girl represent South Africa’s national team in the near future.”
Raposo is a former professional player, who played for Luso Africa, Crouses Ladies, and JVW FC in the Sasol League. She holds a CAF C coaching licence and brings more than 20 years of coaching experience to her new position at Refilwe.
Raposo, who is also a Level Three referee, certified by the South African Football Association (Safa), will focus on developing and implementing a fresh playing style and tactical approach for Refilwe over the next four years.
Her previous coaching experience includes working at JVW FC, where she served as the Head Coach of the club’s u15 Gauteng Women’s Development League (GWDL) team, and she also led the JVW Reserve Team. Her accomplishments with JVW include winning the Safa GWDL u15 Tournament and securing the Championship title in 2023. She also led the club to a runner-up finish in the u20 Engen Cup in 2022.
Raposo told SuperSport Schools Plus that she feels excited about her new role, adding that she cannot wait to start working with Refilwe FC.
Q: Claudia, welcome to Refilwe. How have you been feeling over the past few hours?
A: Thank you for the very warm welcome, I’m feeling overwhelmed with excitement. Can’t believe this day has finally arrived. The hard work starts now, but I’m excited to see what we can do together.
Q: Having spent several years with JVW, what prompted you to join Refilwe FC at this moment?
A: Siya, as you said I spent most of my coaching career at JVW. I just felt that it came to that point in a coach’s career that I had achieved all that I could at the club that I hold dearly to my heart, that gave me the platform to become the coach I am today, and, for that, I shall forever be grateful. Thank you, JVW FC!
“I choose to challenge myself and timing is a funny thing, Siya. Refliwe FC Boss, Lebo, heard that I had left and offered me a new challenge. I never thought that all my hard work, passion, and sacrifices were getting noticed but they were and he offered me the opportunity to grow women’s football and I’m always up for that challenge.”
Q: Your extensive experience in South African football and coaching is well recognised. How do you believe this experience will benefit Refilwe FC?
A: Well, seeing how much football has changed over the years, it thrills me to see such growth and I would like to be a part of that continuous change for a very long time. I forever will be a student of the game.
Refilwe FC founder Lebo Ramodike and the club’s new Director of Football, Claudia Raposo.
“It’s a new club and we share a vision. I am humbled and feel privileged for this opportunity to create a new breed of young female footballers. I am here to provide and promote a new belief in the game we all love, and to encourage these young footballers to make their way by creating a philosophy and methodology within the club, allowing them to use the knowledge they have gained, and expanding their skills, love, and thirst for the game, by ensuring that the level of our development performance is on track.
Q: Given your background in developing young talent at JVW, where you witnessed players advance to the first team, Refilwe currently boasts one of the youngest squads in the GWDL. Will you be looking to these young players to bolster the team, and did this factor into your decision to join Refilwe FC?
A: Of course, it excites me. It would excite anyone, seeing young players playing [others] two, nearly three years older than themselves, and giving it their all regardless of the score. You know, Siya, no matter what experience you bring as a coach, we, as coaches, can never teach you that willingness to never give up or fight, and that, for me, is something very special. In my eyes, regardless of your age, if you give me your everything, you will always earn your spot in the team.
Q: Lebo [Ramodike] has mentioned your coaching style. Could you elaborate on your approach to coaching for those who may not be familiar with it, and how it will aid Refilwe in nurturing young players?
A: I guess my coaching style comes a lot from how I played and understood the game myself. I allow the players to fall in love with the game by playing and enjoying the ball as much as possible – ball mastering, setting individual and team goals, and achieving them together.
Q: At this stage in your career, having achieved so much, some may question whether you are taking a step back. How would you respond to such comments?
A: Well Siya, I don’t see it as a step back. I see it as a personal growth opportunity. And I’m up for the challenge.
Q: The GWDL is becoming increasingly competitive, and women’s football in Gauteng is on the rise. How eager are you to contribute to Refilwe FC and ensure that it competes at the same level as teams like JVW, Remember Elite Sport Academy, Tuks, and Mamelodi Sundowns, among others?
A: I’m just excited to be back in the football scene. Our competitiveness will get there and the Refilwe name will be among the greats, but all in due time.
Q: In closing, what are your thoughts on working with Lebo and his team, including the young girls? What message would you like to convey to the parents and supporters of Refilwe FC?
A: Working with Lebo and the team has been a humbling experience. [It’s] a great atmosphere, and such a thirst for greatness. Exciting times lie ahead, I tell you.
“My message to my new family at Refliwe FC, is you will get the very best from me. I’m passionate and, at the end of all this, it’s not about me but about our future stars.
“Thank you for welcoming me to your family. We will be doing great things together,” Raposo concluded.
St Stithians College players and the school’s supporters celebrate a successful defence of the Nedbank Grey College Soccer Tournament title.
The defending champions, St Stithians College, on Tuesday, pulled off a hard-fought defence of the Nedbank Grey College Soccer Tournament title they won for the first time in 2023
With two titles from three visits to the tournament, they boast a remarkable record. Facing some of the best teams in the country and playing a congested four-day programme, that’s some achievement.
This time, the Saints’ challenge was almost scuppered on the first day of action, when they lost their first two games, going down 1-2 to Grey College and 0-2 to Pretoria Boys High. They got back on track in their third game, scoring a tight 3-2 win over George Royal Academy.
Thankfully for St Stithians, they hit their straps on day two, charging to a 4-2 win over Victoria Park and a big 5-1 defeat of Durban High School (DHS).
With momentum on their side, Saints handled a potential banana skin fixture against a dangerous Brebner High School side with aplomb, cruising to a 4-1 win in the quarterfinals.
In the semi-finals, they had to lean on their big-match temperament (BMT) to get by Kimberley Boys’ High. The contest went to a penalty shootout after the teams had finished regulation time level at 1-1. St Stithians clinched their place in the final with a 4-2 win from the spot.
When they faced Cape Town’s Robinvale for the trophy, they again needed BMT to get by their opponents.
Robinvale grabbed the lead early in the second half, but Jason Oliver, who was named the Striker of the Tournament, netted an equaliser. Then, just as it seemed that Saints would have to go to penalties for a second match in a row, their captain, Liam Slattery, snatched a late winner.
Wynberg Boys’ High finished third after edging out Kimberley Boys’ High 5-4 on penalties. The teams had finished regulation time all square at 2-2.
That was tough on Kimberley Boys’ High, who twice lost out from the penalty spot in the playoffs. Their only loss in regulation time was a 2-3 defeat against the runners-up, Robinvale, in their group opener.
Grey College beat their Bloemfontein rivals, Navalsig, 2-0 to finish fifth, while Westville Boys’ High had to settle for eighth after going down 1-2 to Brebner. It was a good thing they made it to the tournament. Extreme weather conditions on Van Reenen’s Pass doubled their usual travel time to Bloemfontein, making it a harrowing 12-hour trip.
PLAYOFF RESULTS
23/24 Curro Bloemfontein 3-1 Glenwood High School
21/22 Bloemfontein South (11) 2-2 (10) St Andrew’s School
19/20 Victoria Park 1-0 Durban High School
Bowl Final (17/18) King Edward VII School 1-0 Empangeni High School
15/16 Parktown High School 2-1 St David’s Marist Inanda
13/14 HTS Louis Botha 3-0 Pretoria Boys High
11/12 Norkem Park High School 2-1 Hodisa Technical School
Plate Final (9/10) Jeppe High School 4-2 George Royal Academy
7/8 Brebner High School 2-1 Westville Boys’ High
5/6 Grey College 2-0 Navalsig
3/4 Wynberg Boys’ High (5) 2-2 (4) Kimberley Boys’ High
Challenge Cup Final St Stithians College 2-1 Robinvale
Kimberley Boys’ High pushed the defending champions, St Stithians, all the way in the Cup semi-finals before losing out on penalties. Photo: Kimberley Boys’ High on Facebook.
Who will be crowned the champions of the Nedbank Grey Soccer Tournament? That question is on the verge of being answered.
Following three days of intense competition, the final match of the Nedbank Grey Soccer Tournament is scheduled for Tuesday, 24 September, and it will bring the curtain down on the 2024 edition of the prestigious event. St Stithians College, the defending champions, will face Robinvale in the Cup final.
Saints made it all the way through to the main game despite suffering defeats in their first two matches, which speaks volumes about their mental toughness.
On day one, they went down to the hosts, Grey College, losing 1-2 and were, then, also beaten 2-0 by Pretoria Boys High. with no more room for error, they grafted their way through their remaining games until they eventually booked a semi-final showdown with Kimberley Boys’ High.
That contest finished 1-1 before St Stithians advanced 4-2 from the spot, which was, coincidently, the score in the Cup final penalty shootout of 2023, when they got by HTS Louis Botha after the teams had shared a goalless draw.
Their adversaries in the final, Robinvale scored a 2-1 win over Wynberg Boys’ High in their semi-final match. Robinvale had impressed in Group D, where they grabbed top spot, but they were given a hard workout by the boys from Cape Town.
In addition to the gold medal match, the Bowl and Plate finals and playoffs will also take place on Tuesday, with the final rankings to be decided. A match between the coastal and inland coaches will be played just before the Cup final.
RESULTS
Bowl Quarterfinals
Durban High School 4-1 Curro Bloemfontein
Victoria Park 4-0 Glenwood High School
Empangeni High School (3) 1-1 (2) Bloemfontein South
King Edward VII School 6-0 St Andrew’s School
Bowl Semi-finals
King Edward VII School 2-1 Durban High School
Empangeni High School 2-0 Victoria Park
St Andrews Bloemfontein (Loser L) (4) 3- 3 (3) Curro Bloemfontein (Loser I)
Bloemfontein South (Loser K) 3-2 Glenwood High School (Loser J)
Plate Quarterfinals
George Royal Academy 2-0 Parktown Boys’ High School
Jeppe High School for Boys 2-1 Pretoria Boys High School
Hodisa Technical High School 4-0 St David’s Marist Inanda
Norkem Park High School 1-0 HTS Louis Botha
Plate Semi-finals
George Royal Academy 2-0 Norkem Park High School
Jeppe High School for Boys 6-0 Hodisa Technical High School
HTS Louis Botha (Loser H) 3-1 Parktown Boys’ High (Loser E)
Pretoria Boys High (Loser F) 4-2 St David’s Marist Inanda (Loser G)
Cup Quarterfinals
Wynberg Boys’ High 1-0 Grey College
St Stithians College 4-0 Brebner High School
Kimberley Boys’ High (4) 1- 1 (1) Navalsig
Robinvale 2-0 Westville Boys’ High
Cup Semi-finals
Robinvale 2-1 Wynberg Boys’ High
St Stithians College (4) 1- 1 (2) Kimberley Boys’ High
Grey College (Loser A) 2-1 Westville Boys’ High (Loser D)
Navalsig (Loser B) 2-0 Brebner High School (Loser C)
Day 4: Playoffs
17/18 Bowl Final
Field 1. 08:00 – King Edward VII School vs Empangeni High School
19/20 Place
Field 2. 08:00 – Durban High School (Loser U) vs Victoria Park (Loser V)
21/22 Place
Field 1. 08:00 – St Andrew’s School (Winner W) vs Bloemfontein South (Winner X)
23/24 Place
Field 2. 08:00 – Curro Bloemfontein (Loser W) vs Glenwood High School (Loser X)
9/10 – Plate Final
Field 1. 09:30 – George Royal Academy vs Jeppe High School
11/12 Place
Field 2. 09:30 Norkem Park High School (Loser Q) vs Hodisa Technical High School (Loser R)
13/14 Place
Field 3. 09:30 HTS Louis Botha (Winner S) vs Pretoria Boys High (Winner T)
15/16 Place
Field 4. 09:30 – Parktown Boys’ High (Loser S) vs St David’s Marist Inanda (Loser T)
3/4 Place
Field 1. 11:00 – Wynberg Boys’ High (Loser M) vs Kimberley Boys’ High (Loser N)
5/6 Place
Field 2. 11:00 – Grey College (Winner O) vs Navalsig (Winner P)
7/8 Place
Field 3. 11:00 – Westville Boys’ High (Loser O) vs Brebner High School (Loser P)
Challenge Cup Final
Field 1. 14:00 – Robinvale vs St Stithians College
Burundi’s Allan Gatato, the sixth side, made it through to the semi-finals of the J300 Tournament at Curri Hillcrest, but rain prevented him from challenging for a place in the final.
Despite a week filled with exceptional tennis from some of the finest junior boys’ and girls’ players around the world, the weather ultimately dictated the outcome of the J300 International Tennis Federation (ITF) Tournament, held at Curro Hillcrest, which ended on Saturday, 21 September.
The event, sanctioned by Tennis South Africa and supported by Curro Holdings, followed in the footsteps of last week’s J200 tournament at the same venue, in which South Africa’s Connor Doigwon the boys’ competition, while Mayaan Laron triumphed over compatriot Mika Buchnik in an all-Israeli girls’ final
A cold spell, with plenty of rain, threw a spanner in the works, despite the best efforts of the organisers to maintain the J300 event’s momentum and stick to the schedule.
Ahead of the last day of competition, the team focussed on advancing the competition to the semi-final rounds of the boys’ and girls’ singles and doubles events. Mother Nature, though, had the final say and the matches were unable to be completed.
“It’s out of our hands as we cannot control the weather, but we have to appreciate the importance of this event, the calibre of players we have, and their commitment to travelling from around the world to be here to further their careers,” commented Jared Temlett, the Project Manager at Curro Sport.
“Our role is to ensure they have the opportunity to play and showcase their skills and it’s a massive disappointment to have to eventually call the tournament at this late stage.”
Temlett and his team had play extending well into the night on numerous occasions throughout the week as they resorted to matches played under floodlights. It was like a magician calling on all his tricks and prowess to ensure the show went on.
With no possibility of play being carried over to Sunday due to many of the players having to travel, it came down to the singles semi-finals, which scheduled the number-one seed Anna Maria Fedotova (Dominican Republic) against the J200 champion Maayan Laron (Israel) and Britain’s Flora Johnson, the third-seed, facing J200 losing finalist Mika Buchnik (Israel), the number-two 2 seed, in the girls’ draw.
For the boys, it was Allan Gatato (Burundi), seeded sixth, up against Kohshi Ishibashi (Japan), and Nikolai Barsukov (Germany), the fifth seed, facing Kriish Tyagi (India), the fourth seed.
After waiting all day on Saturday for an opportunity to get onto court, play became possible only at 20:00 that evening and rain still threatened. With one match deep into the first set and another barely started, officials and players had to dash for cover once more.
“It was frustrating as we even shortened the sets to try and make up time, with the possibility of still getting some game time on court,” said Temlett. “Although the rain did stop for a few hours, it must be remembered it still takes another two hours in these cold conditions for the court surfaces to be playable again.”
Shortly after 21:00, a sense of disappointment enveloped the courts as the players and coaches came to terms with the cessation of play.
“There is no prize money for these events but points gleaned from such a tournament are of vital importance to the players and their careers. We have seen on numerous occasions in the past how players have used the points gained at our events to springboard their careers into the Grand Slams,” Temlett said.
“It’s a massive undertaking for us and I am so proud of the team and their efforts under extremely trying conditions. We have done everything this week to ensure the integrity of the tournament by giving the players the maximum opportunity.”
The doubles were called off at the semi-final stage with the points shared among the players.
Next up, between 1 and 15 December, are weeks four and five of the Curro Centre Court Series in Stellenbosch.
The hosts, Grey College, maintained their unbeaten record on Sunday, the second day of the Nedbank Grey Soccer Tournament, adding a victory and a draw to the two wins and a draw they secured on Saturdayin Bloemfontein.
That solid record left Grey atop Group A after the group stage of the competition, which means they’re through to the Cup quarterfinals.
On Sunday, the Bloemfontein boys drew 1-1 with George Royal Academy and then scored a 2-1 win over Victoria Park in their second outing. They’ll face Wynberg Boys’ High in the playoffs after the Cape Town school finished second in Group B.
Brebner claimed first place in the group after a goalless draw with Wynberg and a 1-0 win over Jeppe. Wynberg was also held to a goalless draw by Parktown Boys’ High.
With some captivating football, Navalsig secured the top position in Group C. Their reward is a showdown with Kimberley Boys’ High, second in Group D, in the Cup quarterfinals. On Sunday, Navalsig edged out Westville Boys’ High 2-1. They, then, scored a convincing 2-0 win against Norkem Park High School.
Despite their loss to Navalsig, Westville also advanced to the Cup quarters, where they will take on the Group D top dogs, Robinvale. After posting a win and a draw on Saturday, Robinvale beat Empangeni High School 3-1, King Edward VII (KES) 2-1, and drew 2-2 with Hodisa Technical High School on Sunday.
Monday’s action will feature the playoffs in the Cup, Plate, and Bowl competitions.
RESULTS
Group A
Durban High School 3-1 Pretoria Boys High School
St Stithians 4-2 Victoria Park
Grey College 1-1 George Royal Academy
George Royal Academy 3-2 Pretoria Boys High
Grey College 2-1 Victoria Park
St Stithians College 5-1 Durban High School
Group B
Parktown High School 4-0 Curro Bloemfontein
Jeppe 1-0 Glenwood High School
Brebner High School 1-1 Wynberg Boys’ High
Wynberg 0-0 Parktown Boys’ High School
Brebner High School 1-0 Jeppe High School
Glenwood High School 1-1 Curro Bloemfontein
Group C
St David’s Marist Inanda 2-1 Bloemfontein South
Norkem Park High School 1-1 St Andrew’s School
Navalsig 2-1 Westville Boys’ High School
Norkem Park High 3-0 Bloemfontein South
Westville Boys’ High 3-2 St David’s Marist Inanda
Navalsig 3-0 St Andrew’s School
Navalsig 2-0 Norkem Park High School
St David’s Marist Inanda 7-3 St Andrew’s Bloemfontein
Westville Boys’ High School 4-1 Bloemfontein South
Group D
HTS Louis Botha 2-2 Kimberley Boys High
Hodisa Technical High School 2-0 King Edward VII School
Robinvale 3-1 Empangeni High School
HTS Louis Botha 1-1 King Edward VII School
Kimberley Boys High School 2-0 Empangeni High School
Robinvale 2-2 Hodisa Technical High School
Robinvale 2-1 King Edward VII School
Kimberley Boys’ High 3-1 Hodisa Technical High School
HTS Louis Botha 1-0 Empangeni High School
The eagerly awaited 2024 Royal Bafokeng Jr. NBA Finals, featuring primary and secondary schools’ boys’ and girls’ teams, takes place on Saturday, 21 September, at the Royal Marang Hotel in Phokeng, North West.
A large audience is expected and an exhilarating dunk show has been lined up to thrill them. That will be complemented by music and dance performances, including from South African rapper and songwriter Maglera Doe Boy, and Amapiano artist Ch’cco.
The Royal Bafokeng Jr. NBA programme, which launched in 2011, has grown to 118 teams from 45 schools across all five regions of the Royal Bafokeng Nation, with the participation of more than 30 000 youth over the past 14 years. Over 100 000 have been impacted over that time through basketball development and youth engagement initiatives.
The 2024 programme includes a youth basketball league for boys and girls in primary and secondary schools, elite development camps, coaching clinics, and basketball court refurbishments.
Last year’s Royal Bafokeng Junior NBA Finals began with road shows and dunk performances at various Royal Bafokeng schools. A Royal Bafokeng Sports’ Future Stars Camp was hosted and a Her Time to Play clinic was held at Phokeng’s Civic Centre. Top players, coaches, educators and alumni were honoured at the annual Royal Bafokeng Jr. NBA Sports Awards and Gala Dinner.
The finals brought together 12 teams from nine schools to contest six championship matches.
The defending champions on Saturday will be Lebone Primary School’s u14 girls’ team, Bonwakgogo Primary School’s u14 team, HF Tlou Secondary School’s u16 girls’ team, Tshuku Secondary School’s u16 boys’ team, Kitsong School’s u18 girls’ team, and Lebone II College’s u18 boys’ team.
One of the highlights of the 2023 finals was an appearance by former Seattle Supersonics and Orlando Magic centre, Olumide Oyedeji, who helped Nigeria win Afrobasket 2015.
A dunk team from the USA got the pulses racing and musical performances included South African artists, Focalistic, and Robot Boii.
Since the programme was introduced in 2011, more than 120 players and 15 coaches from the Bafokeng community have represented the North West province in national tournaments.
Six girls and two boys have gone on to represent South Africa in international tournaments at youth and senior levels, while two girls and two coaches participated in the Junior NBA Global Championships in Orlando, Florida, in 2018 and 2019.
Earlier this month, Reatlegile Taukobong became the latest player from the Royal Bafokeng nation to represent South Africa when she ran out in the U18 FIBA AfroBasket Tournament in Pretoria. She was also an invited participant to the 19th edition of the Basketball Without Borders Camp in August at the American International School, Johannesburg.
More than 100 former participants in the Royal Bafokeng Junior NBA programme have gone on to study at universities and colleges in South Africa, while another former participant received a full scholarship to a high school in the United States, and one other was awarded a university scholarship.
The programme’s former head coach Moratiemang Junior Mmoloke joined the Cleveland Cavaliers coaching team at the 2023 NBA 2K24 Summer League in Las Vegas, Nevada, last July, as one of 28 basketball coaches from 17 African countries who were included on various NBA teams’ coaching staffs as part of the Africa Coaches Program.”
This year, Brian Ditsheko served on the Houston Rockets’ staff during the NBA Summer League in July.
The South African U20 men’s national team (Amajita) is through to the semi-finals of the Cosafa U20 Championship in Maputo after going unbeaten in the group phase.
The hosts, Grey College, maintained their unbeaten record on Sunday, the second day of the Nedbank Grey Soccer Tournament, adding a victory and a draw to the two wins and a draw they secured on 
Lebone Primary School’s u14 girls’ team, Bonwakgogo Primary School’s u14 team, HF Tlou Secondary School’s u16 girls’ team, Tshuku Secondary School’s u16 boys’ team, Kitsong School’s u18 girls’ team, and Lebone II College’s u18 boys’ team.