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South Africa’s quest for top honours in the u17 Dato Mirnawan Cup in Malaysia came up just short when they fell 3-4 to a ruthless India in the final on the weekend.

Meanwhile, the girls’ team finished in fourth spot, after they went down 0-2 to India in the 3rd/4th place playoff.

The boys’ side entered the final high in confidence after recording some impressive performances during the week.

After losing their opening match 2-3 against Australia, they bounced back to crushed Malaysia A and Malaysia B before playing to a thrilling 3-3 draw with India in the round-robin stages.

That meant coach Justin Collin’s team had scored 21 goals in three matches, making them the top scorers from the round robin matches. They looked deadly in front of goal and committed in the midfield and at the back.

The final was, however, always going to be a different kettle of fish and that proved to be the case from the onset with South Africa put under pressure from the start.

India went onto the offensive from the start, asserting their gameplan early on. They were assertive and brutal in front of goal, striking three times in the first two chukkas to take a 3-0 lead into the break.

There appeared to be no way back for South Africa, but their fighting spirit came to the fore after half-time as they took the game to India.

Skipper Reuben Sendzul, who plies his trade at Paul Roos Gymnasium, was the catalyst, netting a hattrick to level at 3-3.

However, having evened the scores, a lapse in concentration allowed the Indians, who reportedly fielded an u16 side, a golden opportunity from a penalty corner with just under three minutes to play. The pounced, taking the lead again at 4-3, and held on to take the gold medal.

Standout players

What the week-long tournament revealed, from a South African standpoint, is that boys’ hockey is in good hands and in a healthy state.

The South African, with minimal time to train as a unit before the event, showed up, quickly fostered team cohesion, and displayed many examples of individual brilliance.

SACS’s Litha Kraai, one of the most promising young talents in the country, scooped up the Player of the Tournament accolade for his superb contributions to his team.

Kraai marshalled the midfield and was also a goal-scoring threat, getting onto the scoresheet against Australia and Malaysia during the week.

However, the Top Goal Scorer went the way of South Africa’s skilful captain, Sendzul.

Leading from the front, he twice notched hattricks, firstly against Malaysia B, and then again in the final against India.

Others who caught the eye included Lethabo Bongacwi from Durban High School, who claimed the Man of the Match accolade in their first match against Australia.

James Grieve’s performance against Malaysia B saw him take the award, while it was Matthew Mendes De Oliveira’s turn against – Malaysia A, and Ruard Booysen’s in the 3-3 draw against India.

In other results, Malaysia A restored some pride, playing in their home tournament, by beating Australia 4-3 in the 3rd/4th place playoff.

Full results:

South Africa 2-3 Australia
South Africa 11-1 Malaysia B
South Africa 7-0 Malaysia A
South Africa 3-3 India
South Africa 3-4 India

Overall standings:

India – Gold medal
South Africa – Silver medal
Malaysia A- Bronze medal
Australia – Fourth place
Malaysia B- Fifth place

The South African u17 Girls’ team will feel a little let down after going down 0-2 against India in the 3rd/4th place play-off match as the u17 Dato Mirnawan Tournament in Malaysia wrapped up over the weekend.

South Africa lacked intent and firepower in front of goal, uncharacteristically, considering they had exhibited a cutting edge in a number of their previous matches.

They had started slowly, going down 1-4 against eventual silver-medallists Japan in their opener.

However, coach Omari Pienaar-Geyer’s side bounced back in emphatic style, scoring eight goals against the Malaysian B side in their second match before playing to an impressive 0-0 draw after an arm-wrestle against Australia the following day.

South Africa hit their straps the next time out, thumping Malaysia A 7-0.

On the final day of round-robin matches, South Africa produced their best performance of the tournament against India. After trailing the whole game, they managed to convert two penalty corners in the final 30 seconds of the clash to clinch a heart-stopping come-from-behind 2-1 win, with Dainfern College’s Amber Fairon and Durban Girls College’s Ruby Kraus finding the back of the net.

Those last-minute heroics were, however, absent in the play-off match, as South Africa were outplayed by the same opposition.

From the start, India enjoyed the majority of the possession, forcing the green and gold to defend for most of the opening chukka.

They were certainly on top of their game and scored two goals in quick succession to take a handy two-goal lead into halftime.

Try as they might, the South African girls’ team just couldn’t get themselves back into the match, which allowed the Indians to avenge their earlier defeat, and also finish just about South Africa in the final standings.

The South African management team will, however, be satisfied with the strides made by their charges. The SA team’s Amber Fairon was also the tournament’s top goal scorer.

There were, furthermore, some fantastic performances from the likes of Tara Pakendorf, who was named the Player of the Match in the 3^rd/4^th place play-off.

Liliyfontein’s Thabelani Metu was also superb in front of goal, scoring a whopping four goals against Malaysia B during the week. Captain Tanya Pieterse also walked away with a Player of the Match accolade for her impressive showing in the 2-1 win over India.

Full results:

South Africa 1-4 Japan
South Africa 8-0 Malaysia B
South Africa 0-0 Australia
South Africa 7-0 Malaysia A
South Africa 2-1 India
South Africa 0-2 India

Overall standings:

Australia- Gold medal
Japan- Silver medal
India- Bronze medal
South Africa- Fourth place
Malaysia A- Fifth place
Malaysia B- Sixth place

 

Western Province Cricket has announced a star-studded, albeit youthful, u19 squad to compete at this year’s Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week from the 16th to the 20th of December.

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With Rondebosch Boys’ High captain, Jordan Neill, representing Ireland u19 this year, there will be no players returning from last year’s tournament for Western Province.

Neill played for WP in 2022, alongside Juan James and Fayaad Daniels whose younger brothers, Paul James and Raeeq Daniels, take up the mantle this year.

Juan James went on to captain the SA Schools team after his efforts at last year’s tournament.

Despite matriculating in 2022, he still qualifies for the provisional SA u19 squad, alongside Benjamin Hansen, Wynberg Boys’ High‘s Deputy Head Prefect for 2024, and Oliver Whitehead, who has been on fire for SACS this year. The two Junior Proteas will both be in action for the WP u19 team in December, alongside the younger James.

Western Province has also been allowed an additional player in their squad to lessen the playing time of the potential national representatives ahead of the 2024 u19 World Cup, which it was recently announced will take place on home soil.

The Daniels’ siblings both played first team cricket and hockey for Rondebosch last year.

Raeeq Daniels, Hansen, and James are all graduates of the 2022 WP u16 team, while Davids shared that honour with Mbulelo Dube, Joshua Wyngaard and Sibulele Sibunzana in 2021.

Dube has been an integral part of the Gugulethu Cricket Club‘s campaign in the WPCA First Division A this season.

Diocesan College‘s representative, Kashief Joseph, stepped up brilliantly to fill the boots of their SA Schools scrumhalf Haashim Pead earlier in the year. He will captain the Bishops’ first team cricket next year and will undoubtedly have a big role to play in their rugby team again as well.

Another versatile performer in the team is Ethan Kotzee, who is not only a skilled cricketer but also a record-breaking long jump athlete at Fairmont High School.

The young Western Province lineup will be out to make an impact at the prestigious tournament despite their lack of previous experience at the Khaya Majola Week.

The teams

Western Province u19: Alexander Combrinck (Rondebosch Boys’ High), Raeeq Daniels (Rondebosch Boys’ High), Fayyaad Davids (SACS), Mbulelo Dube (Gugulethu Hub), Declan Gillespie (Rondebosch Boys’ High), Benjamin Hansen (Wynberg Boys’ High), Paul James (Wynberg Boys’ High), Kashief Joseph (Diocesan College), Ethan Kotzee (Fairmont High), Sibulele Sibunzana (Khayelitsha Hub), Siyabonga Venge (Khayelitsha Hub), Oliver Whitehead (SACS), Joshua Wyngaard (SACS), Liyaka Xatoto (Khayelitsha Hub).

3 Khayalitsha Hub | 3 Rondebosch Boys’ High | 3 SACS | 2 Wynberg Boys’ High | 1 Diocesan College | 1 Fairmont High | 1 Gugulethu Hub

Western Province u16: Waco Bassick (Diocesan College), Daniel Bosman (Rondebosch Boys’ High), Daniel Cooke (Rondebosch Boys’ High), Noah Heath (Rondebosch Boys’ High), Luke Kleinsmith (Wynberg Boys’ High), Adnaan Lagadien (Diocesan College), Unathi Magaloza (Khayelitsha Hub), Singa Mayoyo (Diocesan College), Litha Mbiko (Diocesan College), Hlumelo Mweba (Rondebosch Boys’ High), Joshua Neill (Rondebosch Boys’ High), Muhammad Ameen Schroeder (Wynberg Boys’ High), Michail Tarentaal (Wynberg Boys’ High).

5 Rondebosch Boys’ High | 4 Diocesan College | 3 Wynberg Boys’ High | 1 Khayalitsha Hub

 

The longest-running off-season football tournament in South Africa celebrates 32 uninterrupted years of staging in 2023, with the latest edition of Philly’s Games taking place from the 20th of December to the 2nd of January 2024.

The event, which will be televised on DStv channels 202 and 209, also includes a substantial prize pot of R200 000 and a place in the DStv Ekasi Champion of Champions Tournament for the winners of the senior competition.

In the under-13 age category, the defending champions are MFDN FC, while Destroyers FC put their title in the u17 age division on the line.

Over the years, Philly’s Games has shown steady growth and this year’s tournament will feature well north of a thousand young players, aged from 10 to 17, in action.

The tournament organising committee’s focus is on nurturing young talent, and many of the juniors who play in the event will progress to the senior tournament of Philly’s Games in a few years’ time.

The event’s founder, Philly Mathebula, believes the best is yet to come from the tournament that bears his name. He said it continues to gain in popularity because it is one of the best junior tournaments in South Africa.

“Philly’s Games have our sights set on making our junior tournament the best tournament in the country,” he stated.

The junior event features 16 teams in each of the under-13, under-15 and under-17 age groups. That’s a total of 48 sides and 1 200 players.

They’ll do battle in a knockout format, with matches that finish in draws immediately going to the penalty spot to decide which team advances to the next round.

The organisers have been organising the junior tournament for 16 years –the senior event has been running twice as long – and over the years it has grown in leaps and bounds, attracting not only local talent from Tembisa and its surrounds, but teams from as far afield as Limpopo and Durban.

The town of Graaff-Reinet is abuzz with anticipation as the second edition of the Montego Cares u9 Champs 4 Change Soccer Tournament springs into action on Friday.

Following a successful inaugural tournament in 2022, which made a significant impact on raising awareness and promoting positive change, the tournament organisers have continued to grow their message and have inspired more young athletes and community members to join the cause.

The extraordinary event not only highlights the skill and passion of young soccer players but also acts as a medium to bring attention to the urgent matter of violence against women and young girls.

With 120 boys and girls below the age of nine participating, the tournament strives to foster unity within the community and harness the power of sports as a catalyst for societal transformation, not only in Graaff-Reinet but also in its surrounding areas.

Using Sports to Raise Awareness 

Sports have always been a powerful tool in bringing people together and breaking down barriers. Karlien De Wet, Montego Pet Nutrition’s Corporate Social Responsibility Coordinator, said the u9 Champs 4 Change Soccer Tournament utilises the power of the game to impact on an important social issue.

She pointed out that the tournament is held during the 16 Days of Activism against the Abuse of Women and Children, and it aims to provide a platform to engage young athletes, their families, and the community in important conversations.

The Montego Cares u9 Champs 4 Change tournament also focuses on youth empowerment. “Not only do the young soccer players get to display their talent on the field, but they also get an opportunity to learn about the importance of respect, equality, and preventing violence against women and young girls.”

De Wet said the event will be graced by the presence of Dianne Bertram, a social worker, based in Graaff-Reinet, who will speak to the children before the games begin about the significance of gender equality and healthy relationships. “By instilling these values early on, the organisers hope to create a generation of socially conscious individuals, who will advocate for change in their communities.”

Through the tournament, the youth will be encouraged to embrace teamwork, fair play and respect for all, regardless of their gender, through the medium of sports.

Also, the tournament does not prioritise only the players. It cultivates a sense of unity within the community. Families, friends and supporters are expected to come through to cheer on the young athletes, thus creating a warm and positive environment.

Participating teams

1. Union Prep Schools Boys
2. Goats FC Mixed 1
3. Goats FC Mixed 2
4. Jose Mourinho FC Girls
5. Jose Mourinho FC Boys
6. Dangerous Darkies FC Boys
7. Birds United FC Mixed
8. Birds United FC Boys
9. Isibane Primary Mixed
10. Mountain View FC Boys
11. Thembalisizwe Primary Boys
12. Thembalisizwe Primary

Still navigating his penultimate year at the prestigious St Stithians College in Sandton, Lhuan-dre Pretorius has already made his mark on the cricket scene as part of the SA u19 squad that toured Bangladesh in preparation for next year’s ICC u19 Cricket World Cup. He also raised some eyebrows when he was selected by the Paarl Royals in the SA 20 auction at the end of September.

“Sitting at the HPC (Tuks), watching the auction with Juan James, Liyema Waqu and Richard Seletswane, the night before our SA Emerging game against Northern Cape, we all watched the auction in one room, but I was never too focused on the SA20. My main focus was to make the World Cup squad,” he said about the day he received a career-shaping contract.

“I remember Richard Das Neves saying ‘R77 Lhuan-Dre Pretorius’. Everyone in the room just jumped on me from joy, and it was just amazing to see how happy they were for me.”

Born in Klerksdorp and raised in the North West, he said both he and his younger brother, Vihan, showed early signs of talent in cricket and rugby. They were fortunate to have a cricket net in their backyard, and their afternoons soon began to revolve around the game. “We used to get home and not even bother about doing our homework. We would go straight to the cricket net and play, and since then I’ve never looked back,” he recalled.

His journey took a decisive turn in grade 9, when Lhuan-dre achieved a personal milestone by earning a call-up to the St Stithians 1st XI. “Making my first team debut in grade 9 was really special and a big personal achievement,” he shared. He made it a debut to remember, too, scoring a century against St David’s.

Reflecting on his top school matches, he highlighted a double-hundred against rivals KES and a crucial century against Hilton College as defining moments.

His dominance with the bat has enabled him to add his name to the Saints’ record books, and even though a full season still lies in front of him, he has already scored the most centuries in St Stithians’ distinguished cricket history.

With an impressive 16 to his name, at an average of 67, and 4 462 runs from 82 matches, he has already achieved more than most, but, ever the competitor, Pretorius says he has his eyes set on reaching 6 000 runs and 20 centuries before the end of next year.

Reflecting on playing for the SA u19s this year in Bangladesh, he proudly stated: “Representing your country at any level is a massive honour and privilege.”

His journey, however, has not been a walk in the park. Lhuan-dre emphasized: “It was never easy, and from the start, I knew that it was going to be tough with all the talented young cricketers this country has.

“I told myself every day that I have to do extra to get to the top. I hit cricket balls every single day for two hours, five days a week, playing matches on the weekend.

“Although the series did not go our way [Bangladesh won 3-2], I feel like we, as a squad, learned a lot and grew over [the course of] that tour. It was amazing to see my game develop; I felt like a new cricketer after the Bangladesh tour.”

His alma mater boasts an impressive four players in the provisional squad for next year’s u19 World Cup, with Kwena Maphaka, Richard Seletswane and Esosa Aihevba alongside him in the South African line-up. After a recent change of venue, the Saints’ foursome is hoping to live out their dreams on home soil in 2024.

Commenting on the late change, from Sri Lanka to South Africa, he said he welcomes the news. “Although we’ve been preparing to go to the sub-continent for over a year, it won’t affect us because we play in these conditions every single day. It suits our game plan perfectly and, personally, I believe the support and home-ground advantage will give us the upper hand.”

The camaraderie within the team is of vital importance, Pretorius stated. He said he gets to feed off his teammates at school, and as they have grown into more senior roles in their various teams, they all enjoy helping out the younger players coming into the squads.

He also credits the coaches at the national side for being approachable and supportive. “Our SA under-19 coaching staff are very open and they have created a very healthy environment, which allows us to talk to them at any time.”

Acknowledging the importance of a strong support system, Lhuan-dre expressed gratitude, saying: “My Dad, Abe, is always there to help me, and he supports me in every decision I take, and I am really grateful for that.

“My mom, Alinda, unfortunately, does not know a lot about cricket but she always does what she can,” he laughed.

Off the field, he also finds a round of golf relaxing. “I play in my free time just to get my mind off cricket. I would like to say that I am pretty decent.”

Asked about his role model, he remembers wanting to play like Quinton de Kock from the first time that he saw him in action. ” I remember he still used the GM Purest [cricket bat]. I asked my dad for one of those and since then I have used GM.”

De Kock is a left-handed opening batsman and a ‘keeper, just like Pretorius, who commented: “I see a bit of myself in him and I hope that I can do what he has done in the future.”

With De Kock recently retiring from the ODI format after South Africa’s heroic Cricket World Cup campaign in India, Proteas’ fans will be happy to know that his potential successor has been preparing studiously for quite some time.

While he is keeping his options open as he heads into his final year of school, one thing is certain: if Pretorius can keep up his work-rate and dedication for another season, he is odds-on to continue breaking records and terrorizing bowlers.

A young prospect with a promising future, fuelled by passion, talent, and the unwavering support of those around him, Lhuan-dre Pretorius continues to grow both on and off the field, and the cricketing world eagerly awaits the next chapter in his journey.

The Mpumalanga Rhinos have revealed an exciting mix of young talent and experience in their squad for the 2023 Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Week. 

Their boasts four veterans from last year’s event.

Curtleigh Coetzee from Hoërskool  Lydenburg, Mduduzi Skhosana from Emba School, Sphumelele Madonsela from Bergvlam and Dian Eicker from Cambridge carry valuable experience from 2022 into the week, which takes place in Makhanda from the 16th to the 20th December.

Kamogelo Sebopela, like Coetzee, is from Lydenburg, while Wakhile Mnisi joins his schoolmate Eicker in the line-up, to give Cambridge a second representative.

Hoërskool Nelspruit also has three players in the squad. Davico Kruger has been a standout player for Nellies with the bat this season, while Luke Poisson and Jayden Meyer have impressed with his all-round skills.

Bruce Nel, from Uplands College and Rovonne Singh, as well as Mnisi, graduate from last year’s u16 team.

Ruben Bodemer flies the flag for Hoërskool Middelburg, while Rayyan Patel gives Bergvlam a second player in the squad.

The Rhinos appear to have a well-balanced and talented line-up, maybe a dark horse, capable of ruffling some feathers on the Makhanda pitches.

Mpumalanga Rhinos u19: Curtleigh Coetzee (Lydenburg), Mdudzi Skhosana (Emba School), Spumelele Madonsela (Bergvlam), Dian Eicker (Cambridge College), Bruce Nel (Uplands College), Wakhile Mnisi (Cambridge College), Rovonne Singh (Secunda), Davico Kruger (Nelspruit), Ruben Bodemer (Bergvlam), Luke Poisson (Nelspruit), Kamagelo Sebopela (Lydenburg), Jayden Meyer (Nelspruit).

Die Oakdale Klein Karoo Saadproduksie Rugbyweek is al vir bykans ‘n halwe eeu die wegspringplek van die o.19-rugbyseisoen.

In 2024 gaan 32 eerstespanne van regoor die land weer bymekaarkom op die plaas net buite Riversdal tussen 20 en 25 Maart om kragte te meet voordat hul onderskeie ligas begin.

Volg die aksie regstreeks op SuperSport Schools – Registreer nou

Die jaarlikse byeenkoms is een van die oudste en grootste hoërskole-rugbytoernooie in die land en trek spanne van wyd en suid om mee te ding.

Die nuwe spanne by volgende jaar se geleentheid is Charlie Hofmeyr van Ceres, wie sal wil bou op die skitterende 2023 seisoen wat sy jong span beleef het, asook Hoërskool Pietersburg en Wagpos, al die pad uit die Noordwes.

Zwartkop is ook terug nadat hulle verlede jaar nie in aksie was nie.

Die gasheer word verteenwoordig deur ‘n 15-tal terwyl die Oakdale Bulle deelneem by die Noord/Suid-toernooi in Pretoria wat ook gedurende daardie week plaasvind. Die uitnodigingspan speel in die laaste wedstryd van die eerste dag teen Bredasdorp.

Van die ander interessante bepalings op die eerste dag is die nuwelinge uit Ceres wat vir Die Anker uit Brakpan aandurf en Wellington se Hoërskool Hugenote teen die 2023 Noord-Kaap kampioene, Hoërskool Upington.

Die twee spanne wat in die SDC Noordvaal Skild afdeling deelneem, Kemptonpark en Hoërskool Middelburg, se wedstryde teen hul Weskaapse mededingers, Brackenfell en Strand, kan ook vroeë hoogtepunte oplewer.

Die volgende dae se wedstryde sal bepaal word deur die eerste dag se uitslae, met die wenspanne wat mekaar aanpak. So terwyl die saamtrek ‘n geleentheid is vir die afrigters om kombinasies uit te toets en vir spelers om roes af te skud, is elke wedstryd van belang en kan daar van die eerste dag al vuurwerke verwag word.

Bepalings:

DE EIKE-VELD

08:45 – Montagu t. Hoër Volkskool Graaff-Reinet; 09:55 – Charlie Hofmeyr t. Die Anker; 11:05 – Langenhoven Gimnasium t. Wagpos; 12:15 – Brackenfell t. Kemptonpark; 14:00 – Hugenote t. Hoërskool Upington; 15:10 – Pearson t. Zwartkop; 16:20 – Hoërskool Strand t. Hoërskool Middelburg; 18:00 – Die Brandwag (Uitenhage) t. Hoërskool Pietersburg; 19:10 – Oakdale XV t. Bredasdorp.

POPULIERSBOS-VELD

08:45 – Overberg t. Augsburg Gimnasium; 09:55 – Parel Vallei t. Oosterlig; 11:05 – Labori t. Westering; 12:15 – Hermanus t. Merensky; 14:00 – Robertson t. Vryburg; 15:00 – Sentraal t. Potchefstroom Gimnasium; 16:20 – Swartland t. Lichtenburg.

 

This past Saturday night, amid the vibrant atmosphere of the Bestmed Golden Lions Referees Society‘s annual prize-giving dinner, Jeppe High School for Boys was named the School of the Year.

The accolade recognises the prowess, sportsmanship, and unrivalled spirit shown by Jeppe throughout the 2023 season.

The School of the Year award is selected and voted for by the referees themselves, with the schools needing to tick multiple boxes to be considered for the award. The competition was stiff, but the boys in black and white came out on top.

“That the behaviour and standard of play of our players has been recognised and rewarded in this way makes us very proud,” Jeppe said on the school’s website.

Jeppe’s 1st XV enjoyed a successful 2023 season, producing some outstanding performances to beat, among others, DHS, KES, Monument, and Hilton College, as they notched up 12 wins playing some of the best teams in the country.

KES beat Jeppe 23-20 in April, but Jeppe claimed the win in a high-scoring thriller the second time around at the end of July, winning 43-31. They ended the season with another heart-stopping victory, defeating an excellent Durban High School team 39-36.

Another memorable encounter was their clash with Affies, which the boys from Pretoria won 33-31, with a late converted try.

The 2024 season will see a shake-up of the Jeppe coaching staff with their long-serving 1st XV coach, Carl Spilhaus, taking over as the Director of Rugby after six very successful years during which Jeppe established itself as a powerhouse side.

Former assistant coach, Drickus Venter, take over as Head Coach of the 1st XV next year.

Venter, who been with the school for the past 14 years, will be eager to build upon his forerunner’s success. His deep understanding of the school’s rugby traditions, combined with his unique insights and innovations, will be valuable assets as he takes on the new role.

“It’s my wish that one day I change the situation back home. Even though I wouldn’t necessarily say that we are poor because there’s even poorer families back home, but I really want to make a difference since I have been given this talent and all these opportunities,” Khulumani Ndamane told SuperSport Schools recently in an exclusive interview.

For a boy coming from humble beginnings in the KwaZulu-Natal village of Sahlumbe, near Ladysmith, donning the gold and black colours of Kaizer Chiefs is a massive achievement.

Ndamane was spotted during the playoffs of his team, FC Drakensberg, where he was an integral part of its success in being promoted to a higher league.

On the 2nd of August last year, he arrived in Johannesburg for the first time for a trial at centre-back. Ever since, he has made Naturena his home, starring for Chiefs in the Gauteng Development League (GDL).

“I was playing in KZN for FC Drakensberg and after the [2022] season we played playoffs for us to get promoted to the Vodacom League. After that I went to an agent, and then I came up to Joburg for the trials,” Ndamane recalled.

“I was so scared and nervous coming here because having all these facilities at the Village can be quite intimidating, but with time I got used to the facilities, my teammates and the coaches.”

READ: “We want to dominate,” said David Mathebula ahead of GDL Quarterfinals

Ndamane is one of a few players, who has turned out for both the u17 and u19 teams, that coach Vela Khumalo has also had do duty in the DStv Diski Challenge (DDC).

It was a steep jump moving from the GDL to the DDC, Ndamane said, but being selected by coach Khumalo was a big confidence-booster.

“It means a lot if you’re promoted. You get a sense of hope that you will eventually make it to the top and also it really boosts your self-belief as a player,” he said.

“But the fact of the matter is that it is a new challenge, and it’s not anywhere near being similar to the GDL, because when you get there the supporters are heavily involved in the games and the pressure that comes with that is immense. So, you have to be strong mentally because you can find yourself making mistakes.”

The GDL Youth Cup takes centre stage this weekend as Ndamane and his Kaizer Chiefs u19 teammates look to ambush the Cup favourites. They host Highlands Park u19, who were the convincing winners of the GDL League.

READ: Redemption for Kaizer Chiefs as they face Highlands Park?

“Whenever we play them, it is really tough because they are very sound defensively. This coming Saturday, we’ll have to be clinical in front of goal and make sure that we make full use of our opportunities,” he said.

He also highlighted what u19 coach David Mathebula has been communicating with the Chiefs’ players during the build-up to the clash.

“The message from the coach has been very clear heading into the quarterfinals. He’s been big on us being patient and removing emotions in a game like this because it is natural for us players to want to prove ourselves and have a bit of animosity against a team that we haven’t been able to beat this season.”

The mouth-watering tie is kicks off at 13.30 SAST.

READ: GDL Youth Cup Quarterfinalists