Author: sipongco

Despite a poor performance by the team at the Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament, Tevin Klaasen says he is proud of his boys concerning how far the team has come. “It was definitely not the kind of performance we were looking for, losing all games.

However we are honoured to participate in big tournaments such as the Wildeklawer sporting event and to play against the top schools in the country” Tevin said.  

Dale College sits on the 6th of the Buffalo City High Schools League, 9 points behind Stutterheim High School who are the current log leaders. 

“In order to grow from strength to strength, our team has made it a point that we participate in several tournaments. This will allow our young boys to learn from other teams and to also learn from themselves.

We are challenging them to leave their comfort zone and play out against the best teams; if we want to be one of the best schools not just in the province we need to get used to playing out the very top schools out there”. 

Tevin Klaasen from Dale College is an enthusiast soccer fan, league coordinator of the Buffalo City High Schools League  and director of soccer at Dale College. 

Discipline goes a long way, starting at home, at school and in the classrooms. “How you behave and conduct yourself with and without others around is very important”, he said. That is one of their core values that our players are brought up to as they put on the Dale jersey. 

Challenges are part of the game and Dale College is facing one of many challenges when it comes to forming a formidable team to compete at the highest level. 

Most of the soccer players at the school are not exposed to the sport and they only get to start playing at a much older age. Tevin says this is a lot of work for the technical team as they need to have a certain temperament working with the players at the school. 

To overcome this challenge, Dale College is now looking to establish a strong relationship with primary schools to introduce soccer at a young age so that by the time they get to high school, they know how to play the game. 

Despite these challenges, Dale College have a star in the making to boast with; Aqhama Mqongwana who is a former Dale College boy, is now playing for TS Galaxy Reserve Team.

Tevin said this has been inspiring for the team at Dale College and to the young boys at the school as they hope and dream to play either varsity football or go to the professionals.

The second round of the under 19 KwaZulu-Natal High Schools Football Association second term league is underway.

10 May Fixtures; under 19 Coastal 

This week on the tenth and the 11th of May schools such as the Northwood will be playing Pinetown at Chiltern Park.

Northwood will be looking to gain momentum after a draw in the first match against Glenwood.

Another game at the same venue will be between Port Shepstone and Glenwood. 

11 May Fixtures – u19 Inland 

In the under 19 inland games, Maritzburg College ‘A’ will play Linpark at Barns at 15:00. Maritzburg College ‘A’ put on a total dominance in their first game against Newtown High School as they won by 4 goals to nil.

Right after the game, the team had to travel to Kimberley where they were participating in the Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament. 

The last game of the 2nd round of the KZN High Schools league will be between Newtown and Carter on the same day at 16H00

Other results in the 2nd round of the KZN High Schools Football Association. 

03 May 2022 – u19 Coastal

Durban High School took all three points as they defeated Kloof High School by two goals to nil at Chiltern Park.

Minenhle Vilakazi was the star of the show after a great performance with a goal too and he earned him the man of the match. Sphe Ndebele scored the second goal for Durban High School. 

Other result(s):

Westville Boys’ High 1, Hillcrest 0. 

“If you are a true supporter of football, then you know how historic the culture of football is at Wits University”, Puseletso Magana said during an interview with him. 

For generations and generations, the university has been working towards building a great future for great football players and young men who strive towards a progressive society. 

In the 21st century Wits University continues to work with young players from the ages of 6 up to 23 years old. Its development structures are built in a unique way to allow progressive development for the young boys and girls that are part of the club.

Puseletso said players come from places such as Soweto, Centurion and many surrounding areas to be part of the club. 

Despite losing players to other top academies in the region, Puseletso said they are committed to nurturing and providing an opportunity for the next generation of players who will contribute immensely to the national soccer teams of this country. 

One of the exciting prospects of the Wits Juniors Football Club Vuyo Buthelezi recently joined the West Ham United Foundation of Football Academy.

Puseletso couldn’t contain the excitement and praise the young man for his hard working attributes and that they are finally paying off. In 2022 Vuyo Buthelezi was part of the Wits Juniors under 17 GDL squad that reached the semi-finals.

His hard work earned him a call to the u17 National Squad. Puseletso and the entire team of Wits had nothing but wishing good luck to the young man and that he will continue to learn not just as a soccer player but as a young man. 

“The moral that this has given to the development is extraordinary, everyone is happy and proud of Vuyo”, Puseletso said. 

The Wits Juniors Club Football has a team (under 13- under 19) playing in the Gauteng Development League competing with one of the best academies in the country: the likes of Supersport United, Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and many more.

Puseletso finds the GDL to be a very important league that plays a huge role in the development of the Gauteng footballers.

He says week in and week out, these young boys are excited to play and compete with one of the top teams in the country and that is exciting as well as challenging for the team. 

For the second consecutive year, Louis Botha has been crowned the Absa Wildeklawer champions held at the city of Kimberley from the 28th of April to the 1st of May 2023.

A successful event that displayed spectacular talent, with top teams at the school level across the country. All competing for the bragging rights of becoming the second team to win Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament. 

For Louis Botha, they were here to defend and take the title to Bloemfontein as they did with the first title. Louis Botha defeated Brebner High School (semi-finals) 3-2 on penalties after both sides held each in an entertaining draw at 2-2. Virginia High School on the other hand reached the finals by defeating Navalsig High School by a goal to nil.

Going into the final of the Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament, it was clear the title had moved away from the province of Northern Cape to the Free State. 

The match final between these two teams is one to remember for years to come, both teams showed impressive technical discipline, high pressing, and physical attributes making an even match and entertaining final for the spectators. 

Virginia High School took the first lead in the 15th minute of the game. A great build from the back forced their opponents to commit an error that led to the first goal of the game. However, the defending champions, Louis Botha soon equalized taking the game to the first at one all. 

Coming into the second half of the game, both teams continued playing impressive football, and as expected goals came in the second half. The game ended in a draw 2-2 taking the game into extra time. 

Louis Botha showed why they are the champions as they soon extended the lead in the extra time. Trying to equalize and fight for the title, Virginia High School put in a good fight with high pressing, applying pressure, and forcing Louis Botha to play into their half.

However, in the dying minutes, Louis Botha put the nail into the coffin, scoring their 4th and last goal of the tournament. The game ended at 4-2 in extra time in favour of Louis Botha meaning they have successfully defended their crown. 

Louis Botha players also dominated the award ceremony for their amazing talents and hard-fought victory:

Man of the Match: Rehlonolofaditswe Blessing Thula 

Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Khanyisa Lester 

Top Goal scorer of the Tournament: Katleho Kabi (12 goals)

Player of the Tournament: Kwanda Lupalule

Coach of the Tournament: Sedilaka Mokone  

Log leaders of the Buffalo City High Schools League, Stutterheim High, will be looking to continue their run-on top as they will take on the fourth placed Cathcart High on the late afternoon of Thursday, 15:00. 

Another exciting match to look out for in this week is between Dale College and Selborne College who aren’t unfamiliar to one another.

Dale College will be looking to take on full advantage of the ground at the Dale Reunion, the kick off is at 15:00 on Wednesday.

Selborne will have their hands full this week as they also will also take on Merrifeld who are currently sitting on the fifth position of the log.  

Other fixtures:

George Randell vs Baysville
Centre of Excellence vs Hudson Park

It was a tough day at the office for Newtown High School during the KZN High Schools Football league against Maritzburg College ‘A’. 

While it was a rough start for Newtown High School, Maritzburg College ‘A’ showed clear signs of dominance from the first minute of the game. The Maritzburg College ‘A’ moved the ball comfortably and took full advantage of the early lead in the first ten minutes of the game through a goal by Thando Hlope, who had a fantastic game, putting in a stellar performance.

Cool, calm and collected on the backline, Hlophe opened the net for Maritzburg College ‘A’ after a well-taken, beautiful corner kick. Newtown High School struggled heavily on set pieces, and that set them back as the opposition capitalised on that. 

Malachi Momple scored a cracker outside the box, making it two goals to nil in favour of Maritzburg College as they went into the second half leading. 

Coming into the second half of the game, Maritzburg College continued to put in a good performance despite Newtown High School challenging and searching for that opening goal. Their opposition proved to be too difficult to beat on the day. 

Mazithi Qasha and Philasande Khuzwayo scored the last two goals of the game, putting an end to the game. Khuzwayo’s goal summed up a performance that was put by his side as they easily broke through the defence of Newtown High School by playing simple touches and passing the ball to the team. 

Maritzburg College took all three points in the afternoon, and their next game for the league is on the 11th of May, where they will face Linpark at Barns. However, this upcoming weekend, they will be travelling to Kimberley, where they will participate in the soccer tournament at the 13th annual Wildeklawer Sporting event. 

From the 28 of April to the first of May 16 schools will be participating in the second soccer tournament during the Wildeklawer Sporting event.

The tournament has drawn schools from the Eastern Cape, Free State, KZN and other parts of the country. 

The tournament has invited one of the best schools in SA that are competing at the highest level;. schools such as Louis Botha, Paul Ross, Glenwood high school, Northwood and many more will be competing at this year’s annual competition. 

Other schools that will be participating in this year’s soccer tournament is Maritzburg College who are currently playing in the KZN High Schools’ Football Association. Dale College who are competing at the Buffalo City High Schools in the Eastern Cape will also be participating in this tournament. 

The Groups: 

Group A: Brebner, Maritzburg College, St Stithians College, Paul Roos Gimnasium.

Group B: Louis Botha, Glenwood, Potchefstroom Boys’ High, Kimberley Boys High School. 

Group C: Navalsig High, Campbell High School, Grey College, Northern Cape Qualifier. 

Group D:  Virginia High School, Northwood, Dale College, Wildeklawer Academy.

Mamelodi Sundowns u19 remain undefeated after eight games in the Gauteng Development League as they clinch an important victory over their rivals u19 Supersport United at Clapham High School.

Mamelodi Sundowns’ captain Onele Rulwana walked away with a brace after scoring a penalty in the second half followed by a beautifully converted goal to ensure his side took all three points in a derby match. 

Coming into the 2nd half, Mamelodi Sundowns were down by a goal after Supersport United’s Tumelo Machete scored a header from the corner kick. This came after an error made at the backline by Sundowns resulting in a corner that was eventually converted by Supersport United. 

The first half of the game was evenly matched as both teams showed crucial moments in the game that could have easily confirmed the win for each outfit.

Supersport United’s captain, Kabelo came so close to extending the lead for his side after missing a crucial chance. Mamelodi Sundowns struggled a lot with set-pieces however they managed to hold even though they were down a goal to nil in the first 45 minutes. 

The log leader, Mamelodi Sundowns came down from the first half to take full control of the game. An important victory for Mamelodi Sundowns which keeps them at the top of the GDL log with 24 points.

Coming into this game Supersport United have been struggling in the league as they sit in the 11th position. Their captain, Kabelo did highlight that the team is suffering from a lot of injuries and that they need to do well in terms of defending.

A win for them could have potentially lifted their spirits however their rivals were too difficult to beat on the day as they lost by 2-1 to Mamelodi Sundowns who continued their dominance in the GDL. 

Chiltern Park Sports Club and Alex Sports ground hosted the first games of the KZN Schools Football Association second term League.

Likewise, the season looks exciting and very promising that there is still a lot to come. 

Six goals scored on the first and eight goals on the second day making it a total of 14 goals scored so far in the first round for the new season.

The crazy part is that round one of the first fixtures is not even done yet as the next games will be taking place on the 26th of April both for Coastal and Inland games. 

Wednesday Results; 19/0424 (Coastal)

u19 Westville Boys’ High School played against Kloof High School in an evenly matched game that ended in a 2-all draw.

On the same day, this game was followed by Durban High School when they took a comfortable win taking all three points against Hillcrest who saw defeat on the opening day of the new season. 

Thursday Results: 20/04/23 (Inland) 

On the 2nd of the league season, Alexandra High School took full home advantage against the Maritzburg College ‘B’ who had a tough day at the office as they lost by 3 goals to nil to the home side. 

In the other game, Haythorne defeated St Nicholas Diocesan by 4 goals to 1. 

The city of East London is keeping soccer alive and well in a province predominant of rugby and other sporting code areas. 

The Buffalo City High Schools Soccer League devised three separate league tiers under the local football association of Bunkers West Local Football Association. Bunkers West is a SAFA recognized Local Football Association and under their guidance and guideline high schools participating in these leagues are eligible for SAFA competitions.

The province is blessed with talent as much as other provinces when it comes to football, however there are significant constraints in getting that talent out there. During an interview with the league coordinators, Matthew Geach and Tevin Klaase they highlighted some of these factors:

Lack of media coverage, sponsorships deals and commitments from the relevant structures in supporting and nurturing the talent that the provinces posses results in lost opportunities for the young boys who hope to play the sport at a professional level. 

The Buffalo City High Schools Soccer league has come from a long run and the team has been applauded for its growth over the years.

Currently the league is set up in three blocks (Block A, B and Block C) designed in a manner that each block has been allocated based on their geographical location to further assist schools that may have transport issues getting to travel the pupils to the games out of their reach.

The league coordinators also said that they are in the process of setting up a Girls High Soccer Schools league to further encourage the growth of soccer in the region. 

The league is already under-way, Selborne College is leading the table with 9 points after successfully winning their three games. 

Here are today’s fixtures are as follows- Block B: 

Round 6 – 19 April 2023

Selborne College vs Center of Excellence
Cathcart vs Dale College
Baysville vs Stutterheim
George Randell vs Merrifield