Author: sipongco

Kearsney College‘s basketball team put together a strong showing in the first term. Not only were they one of KwaZulu-Natal’s most successful teams, but they were also one of the most entertaining sides, thanks to their technical team and their standout player, Pabatso Sithole. 

In a remarkably consistent career in the first team, one of Sithole’s most memorable performances dates back to September 2025, when he led Kearsney to a narrow 57-56 victory over St John’s College in the final of the Independent Schools Stayers’ Basketball Tournament (ISSBT) at The Skweyiya SportZone.

In a tense title game, he scored 26 points, including a late free throw, and Kearsney triumphed after the clash had to go to a second overtime period to decide the winner.

Sithole relies on self-confidence to let his game flow in crucial moments, he told SuperSport Schools Plus.

He has dedicated extra hours to basketball, apart from team practices, refining his shooting skills and understanding court expectations. As a result, he has confidence in his shooting.

He recalled a key moment in the ISSBT final against St John’s where that dedication paid dividends: “There was a point in the game where we were down by two points, and they had the ball. I think there were a few seconds left, and we thought we had lost. But we continued to push, and then my teammate, Daniel Prinsloo, got the steal, and he managed to pass it to me. I scored, which sent us into overtime,” he said.

In early 2026, Kearsney College ranked among KZN’s top teams, finishing second in the KZN Top 10 Championship to Maritzburg College, arguably the top team in the country in the first term.

Sithole’s player evaluation identified areas for improvement against other top teams, including Northwood and Maritzburg College, which included a need to boost the team’s confidence, something their coaches actively fostered.

“Sometimes, I feel like we see the opponent and think that we’ve lost before the game has even started,” he admitted.

But, both he and the team have drawn confidence from their coaches, which bolsters the confidence he has grown through his own diligent practice habits.

His coaches have supported him, affirming that he is capable of achieving anything he sets his mind to do. When he struggles, they are there to uplift him, to make the most of his talent and potential.

Sithole admitted that he is sometimes not as focused on defence as he should be, losing track of his opponent, which allows scoring opportunities. Thus, having identified that shortcoming, he has put in work on his defence and on his concentration.

Sithole and his love for basketball

His passion for basketball comes from his older brother, who is an alumnus of Kearsney. He, too, was introduced to basketball at the Botha’s Hill school. When Pabatso was in the sixth grade, during the Covid-19 lockdown, their mother bought the brothers a couple of basketballs, and they played outside on the road.

Together, they began to appreciate the sport even more. Young Pabatso honed his skills against his older brother, and he turned to YouTube to learn more about the game, putting hours of practice into it.

When he was selected for his age group’s A-team at Kearsney in 2022, his game took another step forward, which he attributed to the guidance of the coaches. His confidence soared to new heights.

Sithole has already competed at a high level, which is evidenced by his impressive accolades.

He was a member of the u15 KZN Team in 2023 and served as the vice-captain of that squad. That same year, he led Kearsney to victory in the u15 Northwood tournament, where he was named the event’s MVP.

Despite those impressive achievements, he has continued to push ever harder, stating that such recognition has motivated him to strive to become an even better player.

Sithole said he is grateful for the support of his teammates, coaches, and fellow competitors, including Lusekho Sikhulume, from Westville Boys’ High, whom he regards as one of his closest friends. They represented the u15 KZN team together.

Another player who challenges him is Northwood’s Siya Shabalala. Matches against Northwood are always demanding, Sithole said, but competing against Shabalala, whom he acknowledges as a skilled player on a well-organised team, motivates him to perform at his best every time they face each other.

Pabatso Sithole’s Outstanding Achievements

2023

• u15 KZN (vice-captain),
• gold medal winner – SA Schools Summer Games
• u15 Northwood tournament winner
• u15 Northwood tournament MVP

2024

• u16 KZN Team

2025

• Kearsney half-colours
• u18 KZN training squad
• Independent Schools Stayers’ Basketball Tournament champions
• Westville tournament All-Star team
• Blignaut Family Trophy (Kearsney’s most improved player)

2026

• u19 KZN team
• Basketball Honours

The Super Soccer Schools Tournament, hosted by Urban Academy, kicked off with provincial qualifications over the weekend in the Western Cape, where teams competed to claim national finals places by finishing in the top three positions of the u19 competitions for boys and girls.

In 2025, Urban Academy hosted the first edition of the tournament. In 2026, the event has expanded into a national competition, with the top three finishers in each of the provinces set to contest the finals in Gqeberha in August.

From Friday through Sunday, it was a bustling weekend in Cape Town, with many of the province’s leading football-playing schools in action.

After a series of intense group stage matches, the boys’ title game came down to a showdown between Pinelands High and Wynberg Boys’ High, with both already assured of their places at the national finals. It was tight, but Pinelands claimed a 1-0 win.

Joining the pair as representatives of the Western Cape will be Phandulwazi High School, which scored a 5-4 victory on penalties over De Kuilen High after a goalless draw in their third-place playoff match.

Earlier on Sunday morning, Pinelands High rolled to a convincing 5-1 victory over De Kuilen to reach the final, while Wynberg Boys’ High was extended by Phandulwazi High, but came away with a 1-0 win.

In the girls’ competition, South Peninsula High, one of the most exciting teams throughout the weekend, became the first winner of the Super Soccer Schools Tournament Western Cape provincial playoffs.

They met St Cyprian’s in the final, winning it 2-0. The all-important third place went to Bergvliet High, who scored a comfortable 3-0 win over Pinelands High.

St Cyprian’s had beaten Pinelands High 3-0 in the semifinals, while South Peninsula High also won 3-0 in their clash against Bergvliet High.

The next stage of qualification will feature Eastern Cape Schools, with the tournament hosts, Urban Academy, hosting it from 24 to 26 April.

WESTERN CAPE RESULTS

U19 BOYS

Friday, 10 April 

Group 1

Lavender Hill High 4-0 Heath Field High
South Peninsula High 2-1 Curro Century City
De Kuilen High 1-0 Heath Field High
South Peninsula 1-1 Lavender Hill High
Bridge House School 2-1 Curro Century City
Phandulwazi High 0-0 Lavender Hill High
Heath Field High 4-3 Bridge House School
De Kuilen High 4-0 Curro Century City
Phandulwazi High 0-0 South Peninsula High

Group 2

Curro Delft 5-1 Herzlia High
Zeekoeivlei High 3-0 Osca Mpetha High
Bergvliet High 1-0 Herzlia High
Pinelands High 2-0 Curro Delft
Herzlia High 1-0 Zeekoeivlei High
Oscar Mpetha High 3-0 Herzlia
Zeekoeivlei High 0-0 Pinelands High
Wynberg Boys’ High 4-0 Curro Delft

Saturday, 11 April

Group 1

Curro Century City 2-1 De Kuilen High
South Peninsula 1-0 De Kuilen High
Phandulwazi High 6-0 Curro Century City
Heath Field High 2-0 South Peninsula High
Phandulwazi High 2-0 Heath Field High
Lavender Hill High 2-1 De Kuilen High
South Peninsula High 1-0 Bridge House School
De Kuilen High 2-0 Phandulwazi High
Heath Field High 2-2 Curro Century City
Lavender Hill High 4-0 Bridge House School

Group 2

Curro Delft 1-0 Oscar Mpetha High
Zeekoevlei High 1-0 Bergvliet High
Wynberg Boys’ High 1-0 Pinelands High
Oscar Mpetha High 1-0 Bergvliet
Zeekvoeivlei High 1-0 Curro Delft
Wynberg Boys’ High 4-0 Bergvliet High
Oscar Mpetha 1-0 Pinelands High
Wynberg Boys’ High 1-0 Zeekoeivlei
Bergvliet 2-0 Curro Delft
Wynberg Boys’ High 1-0 Oscar Mpetha
Pinelands High 5-0 Bergvliet High

Sunday 12 April 

Group 1

Phandulwazi High 3-0 Bridge House School
De Kuilen High 1-0 Bridge House School

Group 2

Wynberg Boys’ High 1-0 Herzlia High
Pinaleands High 2-0 Herzlia

Semifinals 

Pinelands High 5-1 De Kuilen High
Wynberg Boys’ High 1-0 Phandulwazi High

3rd Place 

Phandulwazi High (5) 0-0 (4) De Kuilen High

Final 

Pinelands High 1-0 Wynberg Boys’ High

U19 GIRLS

Friday, 10 April 

South Peninsula High School 3-0 Bergvliet High School
Herzlia High 3-2 Pinelands High
Bergvliet 3-0 Herzlia High
St Cyprian’s 6-0 Herzlia High
Pinelands High 2-1 Bergvliet High

Saturday, 11 April

St Cyprian’s 1-1 South Peninsula High
South Peninsula High 1-0 Pinelands High
St Cyprian’s 3-0 Bergvliet High
St Cyprian’s 3-0 Pinelands High

Sunday, 12 April 

Semifinals 

St Cyprian’s 3-0 Pinelands High
South Peninsula High 3-0 Bergvliet High

3rd Place

Bergvliet High 3-0 Pinelands High

Final 

South Peninsula High 2-0 St Cyprian’s

Just five games into the season, the Gauteng Development League (GDL) is delivering bucketloads of excitement.

On the weekend, that excitement included a win for last season’s runner-up, Highlands Park, over the reigning champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, while Kaizer Chiefs’ Njabulo Msimango scored four in a 6-0 win over Jomo Cosmos.

Msimango has been one of the standout players in the season’s early weeks. So far, he has netted seven goals, which were boosted by his extraordinary return of four goals against EzeNkosi at the Kaizer Chiefs Village on Saturday. Matthew Sinclair shone, too, netting the other two for Chiefs.

Goals were not in short supply on Saturday. Kathorus Hyper Academy scored a big win, handing Joburg City, who entered the weekend in second place, a 3-0 loss.

Aobakwe Ntseki was in fine form, firing in a hat trick. Tumelo Mokoena provided assists on Ntseki’s first two goals, while Mojalefa Nyelele laid on the third as Kathorus picked up three points.

Rockevfs claimed a 4-1 victory over Seven’s Academy, with Itebogeng Maake scoring the opening goal within the first 10 minutes, thanks to the service of Iminathi Bala.

Remothabetse Dithathe added a second eight minutes into the second half, with Maake turning provider. Thabang Mokoena converted a penalty for the third goal, and Phetogo Phetlele rounded off the scoring, thanks to an assist from Dithathe.

Panorama and the East Rand Athletic Club entertained, with a five-goal game going Panorama’s way by a 3-2 margin. Sangesonke Klaas set up Ali Makwanazi for the opener. Klaas then teed up Vukona Mawila for Panorama’s second, and Mawila played in Mxolisi Ngobese for Panorama’s third.

The league leaders, Siwelele, won their fifth match on the trot, scoring a 2-0 victory away from home against Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA).

Siwelele’s breakthrough came only 14 minutes into the game through an own goal as RESA tried to defend a ball from Kyle Troskie. The next goal belonged to Troskie, however, and the win took Siwelele to the maximum possible haul of 15 points.

After their win over Seven’s Academy, Rockefvs is in second, with 12 points, while Kathorus and Future of Africa, with 10 points each, occupy third and fourth places, respectively.

Some of Saturday’s matches were tight affairs, dominated by defences. The clash between the University of Pretoria (Tuks) and Randburg was decided by a Junior Khoza goal, which gave Tuks a 1-0 victory and all three points on offer.

Future of Africa won by the same margin against Africa School of Excellence, with Neo Makgobatlou converting a penalty after Okhule Chiya was fouled in the penalty area.

On Sunday, in a highly anticipated match at Clapham High School, Mamelodi Sundowns hosted Highlands North. It was an especially important litmus test for the Lions of the North. They had opened the season with three successive losses before winning against the Prestige Football Development Academy last week. Were they on their way back, or was their win a mirage?

In a showdown between the winners of the last three GDL titles – Highlands Park lifted the trophy in 2023 and 2024 – the visitors rose to the occasion, handing Sundowns a 1-0 defeat.

The win has lifted Highlands Park to ninth on the GDL table with six points after five matches. They’re still behind the Brazilians, who also have six points, but they’ve played one game less, and they have a better goal difference.

RESULTS 

Saturday, 11 April 

Rockefvs 4-1 Seven’s Academy
Siwelele 2-0 RESA
Kathorus 3-0 Joburg City
Tuks 1-0 Randburg
Panorama 3-2 East Rand Athletic Club
Kaizer Chiefs 6-0 Jomo Cosmos
Future of Africa 1-0
Wits vs Prestige (Walkover Wits win)

Sunday, 12 April

Highlands Park 1-0 Mamelodi Sundowns

The newly formed Kaizer Chiefs Ladies Team demonstrated their class on Saturday, outplaying the Gauteng Women’s Development League‘s (GWDL) front-runners, Refilwe, 5-1 at Curro Hazeldean.

The match was a friendly. It was also Chiefs’ first game as a development team in Gauteng.

They’re gearing up to contest the Gauteng Sasol League, where they will face, among others, Mamelodi Sundowns, who have set the standard across all divisions of women’s football.

Unathi Mabena coaches the side, with Justice Khunou serving as the assistant coach. For several weeks now, they’ve been putting the Kaizer Chiefs Ladies through their paces at the Kaizer Chiefs Village, where they will play their home matches.

Some games have been scheduled for the Kwa Thema Stadium in Springs, which will serve as an alternative home ground.

Sponsored by Brima Logistics, the Kaizer Chiefs Ladies team officially unveiled a 24-player squad on 31 March. It features a blend of experienced and emerging young talented players.

The line-up includes former Banyana Banyana midfielder Mamello Makhabane, as well as junior internationals Zanele Kunyamane and Katleho Mohale.

While Mamelodi Sundowns, one of their great rivals in the Betway Premiership, is well-established in women’s football, Kaizer Chiefs took their time to put a team together. However, it was inevitable that it would happen as the sport has undergone a rapid expansion in South Africa.

Their initiative began in 2023 through a strategic alliance with Springs Home Sweepers. In 2025, that evolved into a formal partnership.

In a recent press release, Kaizer Chiefs stated that the collaboration with Springs Home Sweepers enabled the club to enhance its knowledge and capacity within the women’s football domain. Eventually, it culminated in Chiefs acquiring the Gauteng Sasol League status of Springs Home Sweepers, thereby securing their official entry into the competitive arena of women’s football.

Mondli Dube, the GWDL Administrator, was an interested spectator at the match between Refilwe and Kaizer Chiefs. He described the game as an entertaining and intense contest.

“The friendly was nothing short of spectacular,” he enthused, “filled with intensity, skill, and moments of brilliance. Amakhosi rose above, showcasing their class and finishing power,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus.

Lebohang Ramodike, the chairman of Refilwe, expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to compete against Kaizer Chiefs and characterised the outing as a valuable challenge for his team. He also remarked on the promising start his squad has made in the GWDL, noting that they currently lead the standings in the u17 division.

“Although the season is still in its early stages, the young girls are responding positively to the development efforts, and the coaches are available to offer their guidance,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus.

Refilwe faces Black Diamond Sports on Sunday at the Kagiso Stadium. They’ll aim for a fifth win on the trot to stay clear of their Pretoria rivals, the University of Pretoria (Tuks) and Mamelodi Sundowns, who are also unbeaten in four and three matches, respectively.

Pretoria clubs have led the way in the early weeks of the Gauteng Women’s Development League (GWDL) this season, with Refilwe, the University of Pretoria (Tuks), and the reigning champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, at the top of the standings after four matches.

Refilwe’s ascent has been rapid. Their success has been built upon effective coaching and a robust scouting programme, from player recruitment to administrators.

The club’s chairman, Lebohang (Lebo) Ramodike, has established a strong and growing presence in Pretoria, demonstrating a commitment not merely to participating but to competing at the highest levels.

Founded in 2024, the club has benefitted from the leadership of the experienced Claudia Raposo, who serves as the Director of Football.

Their trajectory continues to point upwards, even after a challenging first season in the GWDL, which was fraught with challenges. Since then, Refilwe has become a GWDL contender, and last year the club finished in third place in 2025, behind only the SAFA Academy and Banyana Ba Style, who claimed the title.

Together with Sundowns, Refilwe participated in the u17 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Girls Integrated Football Tournament (GIFT) in December, with Sundowns winning the tournament in Zimbabwe.

While the Brazilians’ experience and class shone through, Refilwe experienced some challenges at the CAF GIFT Tournament, but those challenges will, no doubt, have provided valuable lessons from which the club will benefit.

Four matches into the 2026 season, Refilwe has a perfect record of four wins from four matches, scoring 36 goals while conceding only four.

However, despite their massive goals’ difference of plus-32, they’ve been unable to rest comfortably at the top. Tuks are just behind them, with Daniella Human, who started their campaign with seven goals on the season’s opening weekend, leading the way.

Tuks are also four from four, while the title-holders, Sundowns, have nine points but have a game in hand. They’ve been both prolific and miserly, scoring 25 goals while conceding none. In their last match, at the end of March, they inflicted a stunning 20-0 defeat on the Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA).

It has been a harsh start to the season for RESA, despite their previous status as a top competitor in earlier editions of the GWDL. A week before their massive defeat against Mamelodi Sundowns, they were thumped 19-0 by Refilwe.

Unsurprisingly, given the size of those defeats, RESA is at the bottom of the standings, having lost the three matches they have played thus far.

JVW, traditionally a title contender, is in fourth place, with nine points, while Panorama occupies fifth spot, also with nine points.

This weekend, JVW travels to Vereeniging to face the struggling RESA at President Park. Despite RESA’s poor start to the season, JVW might find their opponents to be tougher than they appear, with the home side likely to receive strong backing from their loyal supporters.

The log leaders, Refilwe, face Black Diamonds Sports at the Kagiso Stadium. Sundowns will aim to keep up the pressure on Refilwe with a win over TS Galaxy at the American International School of Johannesburg (AISJ), while Tuks plays Kenneth.

In other fixtures, further down the table, Chadi Puse Ladies meet Hellenic Falcons, and Tornado Academy Ladies host Panorama at the Meyerton Grounds. Dinoko Rondebult takes on Edenvale.

While scoring has not been an issue in the GWDL, defence remains a concern for many teams. This weekend, defence will be to the fore as strikers lick their lips and defenders brace themselves to meet the challenge.

GWDL Standings

POS	Academy/Club	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
1	Refilwe	4	4	0	0	36	4	32	12
2	Tuks	4	4	0	0	16	2	14	12
3	Mamelodi Sundowns	3	3	0	0	25	0	25	9
4	JVW	4	3	0	1	7	3	7	9
5	Panorama	4	3	0	1	7	5	2	9
6	Kenneth	4	2	0	2	11	7	4	6
7	Black Diamond Sports	4	2	0	2	7	11	-4	6
8	TS Galaxy	4	1	1	2	6	13	-7	4
9	Chadi Puse Ladies	4	1	1	2	3	10	-7	4
10	Edenvale	3	0	1	2	4	8	-4	1
11	Hellenic Falcons	4	0	1	3	3	12	-9	1
12	Dinoko Rondebult	2	0	0	2	0	4	-4	0
13	Tornado Academy Ladies	3	0	0	3	0	5	-5	0
14	RESA	3	0	0	3	0	41	-41	0

u17 GWDL FIXTURES: Sunday, 12 April

Kagiso Stadium
11:45 – Black Diamond Sports vs Refilwe

Meyerton Grounds
11:45 – Tornado vs Panorama

American International School of Johannesburg
11:45 – TS Galaxy vs Mamelodi Sundowns

University of Pretoria Sports Campus, LC De Villiers
11:45 – Tuks vs Kenneth

Transoranje School for the Deaf
11:45 – Chadi Puse Ladies vs Hellenic Ladies

President Park
11:45 – RESA vs JVW

The Gauteng Development League (GDL) makes a grand return after a break for the Easter weekend with a showdown between the reigning champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, and last year’s runners-up, Highlands Park, the league champions in 2023 and 2024, at Clapham High School.

Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools

It has been, thus far, a disappointing start for Sfiso Mnguni’s Lions of the North. Typically, Highlands Park has started slowly, but they began the 2026 season with three successive losses before picking up a win against Prestige Football Development Academy in their most recent outing.

The biggest problem for Highlands Park has been goal scoring. They netted only once in their first three matches while conceding six times.

Against Prestige, they scored twice and kept a clean sheet, with Hope Sibande and Hlogi Masenya slotting for the regular title contenders.

While Highlands Park doesn’t usually depend on a conventional goal scorer to lead their attack, Mnguni will be calling for more of the same from Sibande and Masenya, and would like to see others step up, especially against Bafana Ba Style.

‘Downs have also fallen below their usual standards early in the season, and they find themselves in seventh position, with six points from three games. Highlands Park lies 13th with four points.

The clash at Clapham will offer both clubs an opportunity to kick-start their title challenges and – given their lofty status in 2025 and outstanding pedigree – an intense, high-quality game is expected.

The game will be broadcast live on SuperSport Schools and on DStv channel 216 for those unable to attend in Pretoria.

More points are on the line

The current log leaders, Siwelele, tackle the ninth-placed Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA) at President Park Stadium in Vereeniging. Siwelile (the former SuperSport United) has a full haul of 12 points from four outings, with Joburg City in second place on nine points.

Joburg City takes on Kathorus Hyper Academy at Huntersfield. They’ll be eager to keep the pressure on Siwelele with a win, and to also keep Randburg and Rockefvs at bay. They both have nine points, but trail Joburg City on goal difference.

Randburg, coming off a 0-2 defeat to Cape Town Spurs in the final of the Pat Connolly Mid Section of the Bayhill Premier Cup, will be motivated to bounce back with a victory.

Back from Cape Town, they host the University of Pretoria (Tuks) at the Randburg Sports Complex.

At the Associação Da Comunidade Portuguesa De Pretória, the 15th-placed Seven’s Academy, which earned promotion from the Gauteng Development Promotional League to GDL in 2024, has struggled to establish itself in the GDL. Nonetheless, two seasons later, they remain in the league.

On Saturday, they welcome Rockefvs. Their match should be challenging and unpredictable.

At the Naturena Village, Kaizer Chiefs will enjoy home ground advantage against Jomo Cosmos.

The East Rand Athletic Club travels to Roodepoort to play Panorama at the Panorama Sports Club, while Prestige takes on Wits Junior at Hoërskool Die Burger.

At Esslin Park, the Africa School of Excellence faces Future of Africa.

FIXTURES

Saturday, 11 April

15:00

Africa School of Excellence vs Future of Africa
Rockefvs vs Seven’s Academy
RESA vs Siwelele
Randburg vs Tuks
Prestige vs Wits Junior
Panorama vs East Rand Athletic
Kathorus vs Joburg City
Kaizer Chiefs vs Jomo Cosmos

Sunday, 12 April 

15:00

Mamelodi Sundowns vs Highlands Park

The final draw for the Confederation of African Football (Caf), u17 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) was held on Wednesday in Egypt, unveiling a mouthwatering list of matches for the tournament, which takes place from 13 May to 2 June.

The draw, hosted at the Caf headquarters in Cairo, featured leading players, among them Fiston Mayele, the Pyramids’ forward who helped his team win the 2024/25 Caf Champions League title by scoring in the second leg against Mamelodi Sundowns.

Aliou Dieng, the Malian footballer who plays for Al Ahly in Egypt, and Ahmed Belhadi, of Ceramica Cleopatra, also assisted with the ceremony.

Group A includes the hosts, Morocco, who won the tournament for the first time in 2025, defeating Mali 4-2 on penalties after a goalless draw.

A feature of the group is its fierce North African rivalries, with Tunisia and Egypt also in the four-team line-up. Ethiopia faces a tough task trying to get past those three.

Côte d’Ivoire, winners of the title in 2013, which they won by beating Nigeria in the final, will face Cameroon in Group B. The Indomitable Lions are also former winners, lifting the trophy in 2003 and 2019. They’ll also take on Uganda and the newcomers, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Mali, last year’s runner-up, headlines Group C. They’ll tackle the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) sides, Angola and Mozambique, with Tanzania completing the four-team line-up.

South Africa, whose previous best finish was runner-up in 2015, is in Group D, perhaps the toughest of the lot.

Amajimbos will face off against the 2023 champions, Senegal. They’ll also be up against Ghana, the first champions of the u17 Afcon in 1995, and the winners again in 1999. Algeria, the fourth team in the group, will represent North African hopes.

There is plenty at stake in the group stage matches, with the eight teams that advance to the quarterfinals earning automatic qualification for the 2026 u17 FIFA World Cup in Qatar later this year.

The third-place finishers will meet in two playoff matches, from which two teams will earn berths at the World Cup, thus bringing the final number of African qualifiers for Qatar to 10.

Confederation of African Football (Caf), u17 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Groups

Group A
Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia

Group B
Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda, DR Congo,

Group C
Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique

Group D
Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana

The South African u16 National Team ended their participation in the UEFA Four Nations Development Tournament on a winning note on Wednesday, eclipsing the host nation, Bulgaria, 4-3 in a penalty shootout after their match ended in a 2-2 draw after regulation time.

The clash revealed South Africa’s strong character, with the tourists fighting back from a 0-2 deficit to level the contest.

After a goalless first half, Bulgaria broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute and added another goal 13 minutes later, leaving SA with only 15 minutes to swing the contest.

South Africa needed a rapid response, and they got it only four minutes after conceding a second goal, with Thabang Makoba providing the finish. Then, with six minutes remaining before the final whistle, Selaelo Moloisi equalised.

With the game on the line, the South African side stayed calm and composed in the shootout and were rewarded with a narrow 4-3 victory from the penalty spot.

Their tour began on a sour note when, on Saturday, 4 April, they lost 0-3 to Georgia. South Africa rebounded on Monday with a 5-1 victory over Kosovo.

The UEFA Four Nations tournament in Bulgaria provided the touring side with invaluable international experience and exposure,  as well as good preparation for the u17 TotalEnergies Confederation of African Football (CAF), Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), which takes place in Morocco from 13 May to 13 June.

After six days of exciting football in the Western Cape, Antalyaspor JPM Cape Town captured the 2026 Bayhill Premier Cup (BPC), by defeating the favoured Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 in the title game to lift the BPC Roger Clayton Trophy.

The title stays in the Cape, thanks to Antalyaspor

Antalyaspor’s number nine, Lwandle Mdingi, rose to the occasion by scoring the all-important only goal of the match.

With his title-winning strike, Mdingi etched his name on the list of young stars who have lit up the BPC over the 37 years of the tournament. Antalyaspor’s win was, to many, a surprising outcome, given Sundowns’ pedigree and status as one of South Africa’s most prominent youth development teams.

In the title game, played at the Athlone Stadium, the Brazilians enjoyed the majority of possession, which is customary for Bafana Ba Style, but their Cape Town opponents were undeterred and delivered a robust defensive performance. Sundowns pushed hard for an equaliser after falling behind, but Antalyaspor held their ground, bending but not breaking, and their win ensured that the title remains in the Mother City.

The last time a team from outside of Cape Town won the prestigious title was in 2019. Victory on that occasion went to Gauteng’s Highlands Park. Since then, though, the proud residents of Cape Town have valiantly defended the title, and Antalyaspor’s victory was the latest chapter in their defiant resistance.

In 2020 and 2021, the tournament was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2022, Cape Town Spurs won the title, and they repeated their success in 2024. The champions of 2023 were Grassy Park United, another team from Cape Town, who defeated Cape Town Spurs 2-1 in an all-Cape Town final at Athlone Stadium.

In 2025, Randburg made the final, but they were stopped by the Ubuntu Football Academy, who won 2-0. In 2026, Antalyaspor stunned Sundowns to earn the right to have their name recorded as champions of the Bayhill Premier Cup Football Tournament.

Hout Bay United lifts the Plate title

In the Pat Connolly Plate Section, Rygersdal overpowered Hout Bay United 4-0 with silverware on the line. Four different scorers took them to victory.

Aminnuddin Gaiden initiated the scoring for Rygersdal, Cayden Liam Daniels increased their advantage, and Mogamat Fawwaz O’Malley made it 3-0. Keanu Enrico registered the fourth and final goal of the match.

Cape Town Spurs crowned Pat Connolly Mid Section winners 

The 2024 champions of the BPC, the Urban Warriors, fell short in their quest to win the title for a third time in five years. However, they had a chance to claim the Pat Connolly Mid Section honours when they faced Randburg in the final on Monday.

The match was challenging for both teams, as Randburg, the representatives from the Gauteng Development League (GDL) who had lost the final to Ubuntu Football Academy in 2025, were eager for retribution in the mid-section competition. Defending their honour in their home city, Cape Town Spurs had equal cause for motivation, and they pulled through, claiming a 2-0 victory.

Sibabalwe Valela netted the first goal of the match in the first half, which forced Randburg to pursue the game aggressively.

Spurs exploited that, with Msimelelo Qokelwa extending their lead in the closing minutes of the match.

Randburg had a chance to make a late charge, earning a penalty kick, but that attempt was thwarted, and Spurs celebrated a hard-fought win.

Individual Honours

After the referee blew the final whistle, signalling Antalyaspor’s victory in the title match, individual and team titles were presented.

Denovian Davids, from Cape Town Spurs, claimed the Golden Boot for scoring four goals, receiving the award from the former Cape Town Spurs and Bafana Bafana striker, Shaun Bartlett, who made his name with Charlton Athletic, in the English Premier League.

The Goalkeeper of the Tournament title was presented to Ayaan Jacobs of the BPC champions, Antalyaspor. Farouk Abrahams, a well-known figure in South African football, recognised for his career as a professional goalkeeper coach and community builder, handed over the award. He famously served as the goalkeeper coach for Bafana Bafana during the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Muziwakhe Dladla, from Sundowns, was honoured as the Manager of the Series, while the coach of Banyana Banyana, Dr Desiree Ellis, presented Gareth Ncaca, from Antalyaspor, with the Coach of the Series Award.

Stanturf United was named the Most Promising Amateur Team, and Antalyaspor was named the Team of the Series.

The BPC 2026 Player of the Series went to Sechaba Tlotlang, of Mamelodi Sundowns, with Lance Davids, the BPC Ambassador and former Cape Town Spurs player, presenting the title to the young athlete.

The referees were acknowledged for their contributions, with Sophumelela Gxowa recognised as the Referee of the Series, while Akhona Khuse received the Assistant Referee of the Series Award.

RESULTS 

Bruyns Plate Section Final 

Rygersdal 4-0 Hout Bay United

Pat Connolly Mid Section Final 

Cape Town Spurs 2-0 Randburg

Roger Clayton Trophy Final

Antalysapor 1-0 Mamelodi Sundowns

The South African u16 National Team delivered an outstanding performance at the u16 Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Four Nations Development Tournament in Bulgaria on Monday, outplaying Kosovo 5-1 in their second match.

Established in 2012 and organised by UEFA, the tournament is part of a global football initiative aimed at promoting the development of young aspiring footballers.

It is not solely focused on competition or results. Rather, it provides a platform for national associations in Europe and also allows participation from non-European members, such as the South African Football Association (SAFA). An invitation was extended to the South African national u16 team to participate in this year’s competition, thus providing the players with international experience through high-intensity games.

The line-up includes the hosts, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Georgia, and South Africa, who were beaten 3-0 by the Georgians on Saturday in their opening match of the tournament.

On Monday, though, South Africa found their rhythm, and Rhys Ferguson opened the scoring for SA in the 16th minute. An own goal doubled South Africa’s advantage, then Ferguson made it a comfortable 3-0 lead in the 38th minute.

Tsheamo Mosana struck twice within a minute in the second half, netting his first in the 66th minute and his second in the 67th to put the result to bed.

Kosovo conjured up a late consolation goal, but it was South Africa’s day, and they walked away with a 5-1 win.

South Africa’s last game is against the host nation, Bulgaria, on Wednesday, 8 April.