{"id":80615,"date":"2025-08-16T05:16:52","date_gmt":"2025-08-16T03:16:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=80615"},"modified":"2025-08-16T05:16:52","modified_gmt":"2025-08-16T03:16:52","slug":"abrahams-mcgregor-underline-south-africas-dominance-over-zimbabwe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=80615","title":{"rendered":"Abrahams, McGregor underline South Africa’s dominance over Zimbabwe"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Worthy winners: South Africa’s Girls’ u17A team did not drop their standards across four days of action against Zimbabwe u18A. Photo: Supplied.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Raffael Abrahams<\/strong> and Chelsey McGregor<\/strong> scored a brace each as South Africa u17A<\/strong> completed a clean sweep of their Allistar Fredericks Africa Challenge<\/strong> four-match series with a 5-0 win over Zimbabwe u18A<\/strong> at St David’s Marist Inanda<\/strong>, in Sandton, on Friday.<\/p>\n

The margin was South Africa’s largest, after previous back-to-back 4-0 victories in their first<\/strong><\/a> and second matches<\/a><\/strong>, then a 3-0 win in the\u00a0third game<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

After their second match, coach Omari Pienaar-Geyer<\/strong> stated that the team’s main focus was on improving. There was no better testament to that than the fact that her charges were more clinical and had the Zimbabweans chasing shadows after four days of action.<\/p>\n

“We grew massively as a team,”\u00a0Pienaar-Geyer told Supersport Schools Plus<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

“We focused on our structure during outlets and played around with different shapes. We also worked on our press, and turning over the ball in specific areas, which made a big difference.”<\/p>\n

The visible strides the girls made imbued Pienaar-Geyer with confidence that the team would be able to hold their own and challenge strongly at the Dato Mirnawan Cup<\/strong>, in Malaysia, later in the year. She coached the outfit that contested the annual event last year and has a full understanding of the tournament’s demands.<\/p>\n

Pienaar-Geyer also said that while the spotlight and credit for the team’s success falls on her, it had been a team effort. She leaned on the wisdom and experience of her coaching staff: assistant coach, Illse Davids<\/strong>; Damian Kimfley<\/strong>, who served as the team’s video analyst; the goalkeepers’ coach, Shaun Laubscher<\/strong>; and Nonnie Mtolo<\/strong>, the team manager.<\/p>\n

“We worked super well together. I also want to thank the\u00a0SASHOC<\/strong> executive team, specifically Sharmin Naidoo<\/strong> and Wayne Marsden<\/strong>, for creating this opportunity for the kids and staff,” Pienaar-Geyer said.<\/p>\n