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Westville Boys’ High hosted Northwood on Bowden’s on Saturday in a limited-overs clash, with the hosts in a confident frame of mind after a thrilling Schools SA20 win over Kearsney College, which they followed up with a convincing win at Michaelhouse last time out.

Batting first, after winning the toss, the Griffins made hay, getting solid contributions from throughout their batting order to post a strong 259/7.

The good work began with the openers, captain Nicandro Kistna and Max Robertson. They combined for a 55-run stand, with Kistna the first to depart after being run out by Pride Buthelezi for 31 from 46 deliveries, which had included five fours.

Robertson and Seth Simpson advanced the total to 97 before Robertson was bowled by Ben Cilliers for 36 from 57, having struck three fours and a six.

Simpson and Kaeden McAllister then partnered for the largest stand of the contest, putting on 76 for the third wicket before Simpson’s innings was ended, also bowled by Cilliers, for 49 from 70 balls, five of which he turned into fours.

McAllister went on to the match’s highest score of 54, falling when the total was one run shy of 200, to Mason Storm. He’d smashed one six and added five fours in 74 balls.

Kyle McGough provided a boost in the latter stages of the home side’s innings, cracking a six and three fours in his 32 from 22, while Roxton Payne added an unbeaten 22 from 20 as Westville set the visitors 260 to win at 5.2 runs per over.

Cilliers was the pick of the Knights‘ attack, claiming 2/32 in nine overs. Luke Allen bagged a brace, too, finishing with 2/46 from seven, while Mason Storm and Kyle White picked up a wicket each.

Openers, David de Bruyn and Tuswa Phetha laid a sound platform for Northwood in their reply, making 46 for the first wicket before De Bruyn was caught off the bowling of Ewan du Toit for 20 from 26.

Phetha stuck around and helped advance the total to 60 before he, too, became a victim of Du Toit, who would go on to capture a five-for. Phetha’s watchful innings of 32 from 61 deliveries, which included three fours, would prove to be the visitor’s best effort.

Talented all-rounder Kyle White was run out for two in a big blow to Northwood’s chances, and Du Toit removed Dolphins’ Khaya Majola Week batsman Mfana Shange for only nine as Westville took charge.

Alistair Duncan stood firm, but Du Toit added the wickets of Ross McGlashan, for one, and Mason Storm, for a duck, as Northwood slid to 80/6.

Duncan and Luke Allen arrested the slide, adding 47 for the seventh wicket before Duncan’s defiant innings was halted by Kistna for 29. Allen followed on the same total, caught off the bowling of Sekou Shangase for 25 from 29, with a six and two fours.

Five runs later, Northwood was down to its last wicket after Kistna trapped Jordan Matthews LBW. Six runs later, Northwood was all out for 138, with the last wicket coming from part-time left-arm spinner Max Robertson.

Ewan du Toit was a match-winner for the Griffins, snaring 5/19 in 10 overs, four of which were maidens. Together with Roxton Payne, who finished with 0/23 from 10, he prevented the Knights from building up any momentum and ratcheted up the pressure as the required run rate spiralled out of control.

Westville skipper Nicandro Kistna picked up 2/23 in six, while Sekou Shangase took 1/30.

Summarised scorecards

Westville Boys’ High 259/6 (Kaeden McAllister 43, Seth Simpson 49, Max Robertson 36, Kyle McGough 32, Nicandro Kistna 31, Roxton Payne 22, Ben Cilliers 2/32, Luke Allen 2/46); Northwood 138/10 (Tuswa Phetha 32, Alistair Duncan 29, Luke Allen 25, David de Bruyn 20, Ewan du Toit 5/19, Nicandro Kistna 2/23).

Westville won by 121 runs.

Openers Cian Fortmann and Connor Riley set St Charles College up for a healthy 80-run victory over a young Kearsney College lineup on Saturday in Pietermaritzburg, with the pair putting on 158 for the first wicket.

Saints‘ skipper Marcell Wellmann won the toss and elected to bat. Fortmann and Riley repaid his faith in them by delivering a mature and measured partnership, which lasted almost 36 overs.

It was, eventually, brought to an end by Kearsney College captain Ross Coetzee, who took a caught and bowled to claim Riley’s wicket. He’d scored 58 from 103 deliveries, striking seven fours.

Almost immediately, Saints suffered a collapse, losing another three wickets for the addition of 20 runs, with Rico Honiball run out and Jason De Gryse grabbing the big wickets of Marcell Wellmann and Brendon Sunguro.

Fortmann went on to a century before becoming the sixth wicket to go down, caught by Asavhela Khambule off Keegan de Jager for a splendid 116 from 152 balls, one of which he dispatched for six and another nine for four.

Apart from the openers, though, only Sunguro, with 12, made it into double figures. From 158 without loss in the 36th over, St Charles finished with 236/9, with their third-highest score coming from extras, of which there were 26.

The key cause of the destruction was Keegan de Jager, who ripped through the Saints’ lower order, capturing 5/35 in just six overs. Jason De Gryse picked up 2/43 in 10, while Ross Coetzee claimed 1/43.

Kearsney made a steady start to their reply, with Jonty Wiggett and Jason de Gryse partnering for a 43-run opening partnership. Ryan Clarke brought it to an end, bowling Wiggett for an attacking 28 from 33 balls, which included four fours. De Gryse followed 10 runs later, and, much like Saints had experienced, a collapse followed.

From 52/1, very quickly, Kearsney slumped to 62/6 in the 18th over. They had a mountain to climb and their chances of victory had all but vanished. Not quite, though, because Ross Coetzee was still out in the middle.

The Kearsney captain contributed 30 from 43 balls, smashing a six and two fours while sharing in a 65-run stand with Asavhela Khambule for the seventh wicket. Tristan Montile claimed Coetzee’s valuable wicket, courtesy of a catch by Brendon Sunguro, reducing Saints to 127/7.

Khambule continued his resistance, finally falling with the total on 146, for the innings’ top score of 43 after being bowled by Cian Fortmann. Khambule’s stay had lasted 62 balls and brought him a six and six fours.

Brendon Sunguro claimed the tenth wicket to send Kearsney packing for 156. He finished with 1/17 from five overs, but Tristan Montile led the way for the home side, knocking over 4/39 in nine overs, while Ryan Clarke heaped pressure on the visitors, snapping up 2/12 in six.

After a comfortable win, St Charles will be in a confident mood ahead of their last match of the season against Michaelhouse on 16 November.

Summarised scorecards

St Charles College 236/9 (Cian Fortmann 116, Connor Riley 58, Keegan de Jager 5/35, Jason De Gryse 2/43); Kearsney College 156/10 (Asavhela Khambule 43, Ross Coetzee 30, Jonty Wiggett 28, Tristan Montile 4/39, Ryan Clarke 2/12).

St Charles College won by 80 runs.

The Hoërskool Hans Moore 1st XI made history by claiming the school’s first-ever Fain Noordvaal title after beating Hoërskool Middelburg by seven wickets on St Alban’s College’s TC Mitchell Oval on Saturday.

Relive all the action on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

It was an exceptional day for the Moories’ vice-captain, Henré Everleigh. Not only was he part of the winning team, but Everleigh also equalled the school’s record for the most wickets in a season.

At the start of play, he had 59 to his name, but Everleigh was intent on producing a special performance in the biggest game of his school career.

Bowling seven overs, the Hans Moore opening bowler snapped up the four wickets he needed to equal the record and, at the same time, conceded only 16 runs to heap further pressure on the Middelburg batsmen.

The spin twins, Kyle Wratten and Kenan Shaw provided good support and shared six wickets between them. Wratten snared 3/27 in nine overs, while Shaw bowled his full quota of 10 overs and claimed 3/29.

The trio’s efforts led to a massive Middies’ collapse as the side from Mpumalanga lost six wickets for only five runs, slipping from 120/4 to 125 all out.

Reuben Brandmuller and Eduan Strydom were the only standouts for Middelburg, with Brandmuller weighing in with a mature 43 runs and Strydom contributing 33 as they shared a 76-run partnership.

While the Middies’ batsmen scored slowly, Hans Moore’s batsman, took a different approach and went on the attack right from the get-go. Adrian Watson, with 16, and Kenan Shaw, with 20, took only 6.4 overs to rustle up 48 runs for the first wicket.

They departed in quick succession, though, without the addition of a run, with Watson falling victim to Strydom and Shaw chipping a catch to mid-wicket off the bowling of Gavin Genis, who picked up 1/33.

Strydom castled the Moories’ captain, Warren Minnaar, shortly before lunch for his second wicket, but it was to be the last wicket taken by Middelburg.

After lunch, the impressive Xavier Coetzee continued his good form, playing freely for an unbeaten 32 runs from 35 deliveries. Aiden Shaw made a telling contribution, striking an unbeaten 28 from 33 as he and Coetzee saw the Benoni school to victory off the second ball of the 20th over.

Meanwhile, also at St Alban’s College, but on the Baloyi Oval, Hoërskool Garsfontein successfully defended their u15 Noordvaal title, recording a comfortable 56-run win over Hoërskool Waterkloof.

Arrie Verster was the Garsies’ mainstay with the willow. The middle-order batsmen came to his side’s rescue after some early trouble, which was brought on by Klofies’ new ball bowler William van den Berg, who captured 4/32, and Christiaan Smit, who took 3/35.

Verster did a good job of occupying the crease, spending 95 balls out in the middle while compiling 79 runs, which was the key innings in Garsfontein’s 181 all out.

Waterkloof mustered just 125 in response as the Garsies’ bowlers dominated. Katlego Lebelo led the way with the ball, snapping up one wicket in his first spell before returning for a second spell, during which he did more damage by claiming another two scalps. The young quick eventually ended with an impressive and match-winning return of 3/32 from 10 overs.

Under heavy pressure from Garsfontein’s good bowling and high-intensity fielding, Waterkloof struggled, but Wynand Gouws grafted hard for 35 runs. Unfortunately for him, only Lian Claasen, with 21, offered good support.

Ruan Cuyler, with 2/8, and Iwan Trollope, with 2/25, gave solid backing to Lebelo, leading to Waterkloof coming up 57 runs short of the victory target.

Summarised scorecards

1st Team Final

Hoërskool Middelburg 125/10 (Reuben Brandmuller 43, Eduan Strydom 32; Henre Everleigh 4/16, Kyle Wratten 3/27, Kenan Shaw 3/29); Hans Moore 129/3 (Xavier Coetzee 32*, Aiden Shaw 28*, Kenan Shaw 20; Eduan Strydom 2/42). Hans Moore won by seven wickets.

U15 Final 

Garsfontein 181/10 (Arrie Verster 79, Dean Wilbers 20; William van den Berg 4/32, Christiaan Smit 3/35); Waterkloof 125/10 (Wynand Gouws 35, Lian Claasen 21; Katlego Lebelo 3/32, Ruan Cuyler 2/8, Iwan Trollope 2/25). Garsfontein won by 56 runs.

In a telling exchange, before a ball had been bowled in the Pink Day clash on Saturday, SuperSport Schools’ commentator Spoed Smith asked Hilton College captain Ethan van Heerden what he would have done if he had won the toss.

Watch the match again on SuperSport Schools

Michaelhouse‘s Sebastian Hofmeyr had elected to bat first, but Van Heerden said he would have preferred to bowl on the Hart-Davis Oval. He was gifted his preference and it worked in Hilton’s favour.

The venue made for a pretty picture, with the trees surrounding the field decorated in pink, while supporters also wore the colour, in support of the PinkDrive and its promotion of the awareness and early detection of cancer.

However, after a couple of tight T20 contests earlier in the term, matters didn’t look that pretty for Michaelhouse. Hilton enjoyed much the better of their limited-overs showdown, bowling out Michaelhouse for 146 before replying with 147/3 to record a seven-wicket victory with 16.4 overs to spare.

While the loss of the toss still gave Hilton skipper Ethan van Heerden what he wanted, his bowlers needed to do their bit to back up their leader’s assessment of the pitch. They did, and it began with opening bowler Netanzi Denenga.

He struck early, removing the in-form Graydon Leslie, who was caught off a thick edge by Jayden Roux, without scoring.

‘House captain Seb Hofmeyr, then, fell victim to his counterpart, Ethan van Heerden, caught behind by Ben Hockly for six, and when Hockly pulled off a superb one-handed diving catch to his right off Denenga to remove Ethan Muir for nine, Michaelhouse was in trouble on 24/3.

Ben Heuer and Cival Rugbar dug in, though, and set about repairing the early damage, adding 43 for the fourth wicket before Stewart Falconer ended Heuer’s resistance, caught by Jayden Roux for 25 from 26 balls, which included four fours.

Rugbar hung tough, not scoring quickly, but keeping Hilton at bay. He, however, became the third of three batsmen to fall victim to Luke Campbell, with the spinner removing Radhesh Jhilmeet and Hayden Hewlett cheaply before he claimed the wicket of Rugbar for the innings’ top score of 43. His knock had come from 94 balls and included two fours.

Jean-Luc Rey blasted two sixes in an innings of 13 from 25, but Denenga cleaned up the tail as Michaelhouse finished on 146 all out, aided by 26 extras, after 46.2 overs.

Denenga, who generated good pace and bounce, produced the sparkling figures of 4/22 from 9.2 overs, while Luke Campbell clamped down on the Michaelhouse middle-order, snaring 3/25 from 10.

Stewart Falconer bowled a disciplined line and length to tighten the screws on the ‘House batsmen, capturing 1/11 from five, while Benoit Rey was also tidy, claiming 1/29 in 10.

Defending a moderate total, Michaelhouse needed to emulate their opponents and take wickets early, but that never happened. In fact, Hilton’s opening pair of Ben Hockly and Alex Pitman pretty much sealed the deal for the hosts.

Together, they shared an opening stand of 108, which, when it was broken, meant Hilton needed only 39 runs to win. Pitman was the batsman to depart, caught off the bowling of Ben Heuer after a fluent and attractive 66 from 71 balls, which included nine fours.

Radhesh Jhilmeet removed Robert Burman after a brief visit to the middle, but Ben Hockly and Charles Swart took the home side to within sight of victory before Jhilmeet struck again, claiming the wicket of Hockly for 62 from 93 balls, which featured five fours and two sixes.

Only eight runs were needed for the win and it was soon achieved. Swart was unbeaten on nine and Roux had two.

Jhilmeet was the pick of the Michaelhouse bowlers, delivering a fine return of 2/19 from eight overs, while Heuer was the only other bowler to enjoy success, picking up 1/7 from two. Ross Moller was his usual tight self, but he went unrewarded, finishing with 0/20 from six.

Summarised Scorecards

Michaelhouse 146/10 (Cival Rugbar 43, Ben Heuer 25, Netanzi Denenga 4/22, Luke Campbell 3/25); Hilton College 147/3 (Alex Pitman 66, Ben Hockly 62, Radhesh Jhilmeet 2/19).

Hilton College won by 7 wickets.

The South African Football Association (Safa) is hosting the u15 girls’ national team at the Safa  Technical Centre in Johannesburg on Friday and Saturday.

This team is set to participate in the u17 girls’ Cosafa Championship in December and the squad will feature players that were identified through the u15 National tournament in August and the TDS International Tournament, which was held in September.

Safa’s Technical Director, Walter Steenbok explained the thinking behind entering a young team in the tournament: “We are lowering the age groups to ensure that we prepare squads that grow together before reaching the age of 17, where international qualifiers begin.

“Over the years, we have had an issue in the qualification of the u17 international tournaments, and this training camp will be the beginning of that squad in the same way we have used the Talent Development Scheme (TDS) for our boys’ team. We intend on doing the same for our girls’ team and fast-tracking their development to build a squad that will compete at international u17 level,” he said.

As the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries prepare for the forthcoming  u17 girls’ Cosafa Championship, which will be hosted by Mozambique, Safa is aiming to put together a robust and competent squad capable of going toe-to-toe with their older opponents.

It will be a tough challenge, but the young South African team will be aiming to emulate the success of the u20 boys’ national team, Amajita, who won the u20 Cosafa Championship title in October after defeating Zambia in the final.

Recently, both the u15 boys’ and girls’ South African teams won the Cosafa African Schools Football Championship in Namibia, making it a three-peat for South Africa in the competition, and keeping intact the country’s record as the only winner of the event since its inception.

This year, South Africa has enjoyed a successful run in several Cosafa tournaments, including Banyana Banyana, who, under the guidance of coach Maud Khumalo, reached the finals but lost 3-4 to Zambia in a penalty shootout on 2 November in Gqeberha. There was plenty of cause for optimism, however, as Banyana Banyana put out a youthful squad that included several teenagers, who rose to the challenge.

After the competition, Khumalo told the SAFA media team: “It was a great, great experience in Gqeberha. Tournaments like these bring value. They enable coaches and players to gain more experience and to get used to the different levels of the game. The teams and the countries we played against, you could see that they are building, and they’re learning a lot.”

The u15 national side will view the success of the young Banyana Banyana side as inspiration and give them motivation to excel during the 2024 u17 Cosafa Championship.

31-PLAYER SQUAD

Name and Surname	Club	Province
Isabella Hall	Durban Ladies	KwaZulu Natal
Thando Mugodudi	Springs Ladies United FC	Gauteng
Maanda Ramadan	Sinthumul Kutama	Limpopo
Diamond Retshidisitwe	Mighty Spurs	Free State
Siphumelele Zibula	Dlala Ntombazane	KwaZulu Natal
Kopano Kgatiwe	Modiba FC	North West
Katlego Mohale	JVW	Gauteng
Andiswa Zuma	Dlala Ntombazane	KwaZulu Natal
Yola Bala	Mamelodi Sundowns	Gauteng
Akhona Simamane	Lindelani Ladies	KwaZulu Natal
Alwande Mbatha	Dlala Ntombazane	KwaZulu Natal
Nzuza Nomfundo	Dlala Ntombazane	KwaZulu Natal
Dineo Makoala	Future Stars	Gauteng
Rethabile Molefe	Home Sweepers	Gauteng
Somali Gani	Coastal United Ladies	Eastern Cape
Bokamoso Khambule	Junior Stars Academy	Free State
Katleho Mbaleke	Tuks	Gauteng
Ambani Raphadana	Santhumule Kutama	Limpopo
Dakalo Mafumo	Panorama FC	Gauteng
Okuhle Sithole	Durban Ladies	KwaZulu Natal
Leonay Kock	Royal Wizards	Northern Cape
Vuyo Motlaung	–	Gauteng
Kwezi Khoza	Durban Ladies	KwaZulu Natal
Lethuthando Mthembu	Stellenbosch	Western Cape
Kamogelo Maropa	Emalahleni Rainbow Ladies	Mpumalanga
Dazed Mkhari	Sisters FC	Limpopo
Miah Messier	Ubuntu FC	Western FC
Asanda Ziqubu	Dlala Ntombazane	KwaZulu Natal
Nkosingiphile Mthombeni	Hungry Tigers	Mpumalanga
Farah Thomas	Rygersdal	Western Cape
Oluke Magutshwa	Dlala Ntombazane	KwaZulu Natal

 

Daar sal volgende jaar twee nuwe gesigte in die NWU Sportreeks in aksie wees.

Die Hoërskool Piet Retief asook Ben Vorster van Tzaneen is die nuwe gesigte wat sal poog om kers saam met van die groot honde in die Noordvaal-streek vas te hou.

Die verdedigende kampioen van die reeks, Waterkloof, sal sy aanslag in Tzaneen teen die Vossies afskop. Die Klofies wat vanjaar ook tot die eindstryd van die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Beker-afdeling deurgedring het, behoort volgende jaar ook ‘n gedugte span in die veld te stoot.

Piet Retief sal ook sy buiging in die reeks op sy tuisveld in die Jack Botes-stadion teen Menlopark maak. Die Parkies het verlede jaar in die eindstryd van dié reeks teen Waterkloof die knie gebuig.

Volgende jaar sal die 12 spanne in die reeks in vier groepe van drie spanne elk ingedeel wees. Die halfeindstryde van die kompetisie sal reeds op 21 Maart beslis word. Die twee halfeindstryde sal onderskeidelik deur Kempton Park en HTS Middelburg aangebied word.

Die eindstryd sal eers op 12 April op die velde van Dr. EG Jansen in Boksburg beslis word.

Die Poele is: 

Poel A: HTS Middelburg, EG Jansen, Hoërskool Nelspruit.
Poel B: Menlopark, Eldoraigne, Piet Retief.
Poel C: Waterkloof, Ben Vorster, Oos-Moot.
Poel D: Kempton Park, Hoërskool Middelburg, Transvalia.

Die bepalings is (tuisspanne eerste vermeld): 

1 Maart 2025 

HTS Middelburg vs EG Jansen

4 Maart 2025 

Menlopark vs Eldoraigne

8 Maart 2025 

Piet Retief vs Menlopark
Ben Vorster vs Waterkloof
Hoërskool Nelspruit vs HTS Middelburg
Hoërskool Middelburg vs Kempton Park

11 Maart 2025 

Waterkloof vs Oos-Moot
Kempton Park vs Transvalia

15 Maart 2025 

Eldoraigne vs Piet Retief
Oos-Moot vs Ben Vorster
EG Jansen vs Hoërskool Nelspruit
Transvalia vs Hoërskool Middelburg

The fifth edition of the u15 Linda Mntambo Foundation Games kicks off on Saturday, 9 November, at the Mzimhlophe Sports Grounds in Orlando, Soweto.

A total of 16 teams will be in action, including the defending champions, Hammanskraal Sports Academy.

Last year, Hammanskraal lifted the title after defeating Khukza in an exciting final that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

The champions exhibited composure and skillful football in the title decider,  dominating possession while, also, effectively man-marking and winning the majority of duels throughout the match.

Although Khukza had their moments, Hammanskraal Sports Academy scored a 2-0 victory, thanks to goals from Junior Numayo and Nhlayisi Nthite, who were key performers for the winners as they secured the Linda Mntambo Foundation title for the first time.

They’re set to face a tough title defence and now, as the champions, they will have a target on their back, with teams like Sir P United, who were eliminated in last year’s semi-finals by Hammanskraal Sports Academy striving to go all the way this time around.

TEAMS

1. E.R.E.S.A
2. Future Stars
3. DGU
4. Moon Stars
5. Premier Impala
6. White City Spurs
7. KVK Academy
8. Meadowlands All Stars
9. Siyanqona Youth Development
10. Hammarskaal Academy
11. Lakeside Juventus
12. Sir P United
13. Juniors FC
14. Orlando West Academy
15. Euphoria United

After the group stages of the Dato Mirnawan Cup in Malaysia, the South African u17 girls will battle it out for the bronze medal on the final day of competition, Saturday, 9 November.

This follows a 1-3 defeat against Australia in the semifinals, on Thursday, in Kuala Lumpur.

Heading into that final-four clash, coach Omari Pienaar-Geyer’s side had recorded a 4-0 victory over Malaysia Tigress but then went down 2-4 against Japan.

Their opening win against the hosts was sparked by some exceptional and enterprising hockey. Lenique Vogel and Lucy Holderness both found the back of the net, while Amber Fairon struck twice to seal the win for the visitors.

The meeting with Japan proved to be a far tougher challenge for the SA girls. They took an early lead through a goal from Alanda Rademeyer, but Japan hit back strongly to seal the win and cancel out a further South African strike by Asanele Zuma. 

By then, though, the South African side had already sealed a spot in the semifinals after finishing second behind Japan in their group, with three points from their two matches.

In the semifinals, they came up against a strong Australian side that dominated Group X, scoring two wins while picking up seven points.

The Aussies were quickly out of the blocks and struck twice in the first chukka.

Coach Pienaar-Geyer’s advice during the short interval appeared to do the trick as South Africa pulled one back in the second chukka through vice-captain, Caprice Bengston.

Heading into the final chukka, the outcome hung in the balance, with Australia still 2-1 ahead.

They avoided an upset by scoring from a well-executed short corner to extend their lead to two goals, which they maintained to the end of the contest.

The girls from Down Under will take on Japan in the final while South Africa will meet South Korea in the third/fourth playoff match.

It’s the second year in a row in which South Africa will play for the bronze medal. Last year, they missed out against India.

Saturday’s action at the Bukit Jalil National Hockey Stadium starts at 02:00 (SAST).

Click HERE to watch the action, including the SA u17 boys’ against Canada in the 5th/6th playoff match.

Kaizer Chiefs head into the final week of the Gauteng Development League (GDL) season hamstrung for their last outing – a clash with their archrivals Mamelodi Sundowns, which could decide who wins the title – because they’ll be without their coach David Mathebula.

He’ll be in the Free State to complete training for his CAF B Licence, which means the very last match of the GDL season, at Naturena, will see the Amakhosi missing his guidance.

In an exclusive interview with SuperSport Schools Plus, Mathebula said that, despite his unavailability, he trusts his support staff to get the job done at home against Sundowns.

Chiefs have two games to play on the weekend to complete their schedule, and the news was not altogether negative for the club. “I will only be here for the TS Galaxy game,” Mathebula said, “and then, on Sunday, the other coaches will take care of the team.

“I thought we’d be done by now but, obviously, the scheduling comes from Safa, so there’s nothing we can do,” he explained.

“The other coaches understand the demands of the team. When you work for this brand, there’s no easy match. Every game is a big game for us.

“This one, we’re playing Sundowns and when you play the so-called big clubs, it’s all about the bragging rights. The coaches understand the demands, so there’s nothing much I have to say.”

Read: Last match could decide GDL title

Chiefs head into their weekend’s assignments in third place in the GDL standings, with Highlands Park at the top, followed by Sundowns, in second place. Mathematically, the Soweto powerhouse can still win the league, but a lot will have to go their way for that to happen.

Firstly, they will need Highlands Park to lose against East Rand Athletic Club. Also, Sundowns would have to go down to Sevens Academy, and they, themselves, would have to beat TS Galaxy and Sundowns.

Recognising that his team has a slender chance of winning the league, Mathebula said they could have done better in the past two months.

“We’re not in control of this situation,” he acknowledged. “We have to win these games and expect the others to lose and stuff like that. The education part in all of this is to learn that we have to be in control of all of our games so that when we get to this stage we don’t expect anyone to do us favours to win the league.

“That’s what we’ve learned this season. We lost against Tuks and Panorama, two out of the last five games. This was all towards the end of the season and that’s not the time where you can lose points.”

Consistency was key, Mathebula said: “As a coach, I want to be in control of everything, so this situation taught me that I have to be on top of the season, so that I can control the situation toward the end of the season, which is something we didn’t take care of in the middle of the season, and even in the beginning of the season because we drew some games which we weren’t supposed to draw.

“Now we have to hope Highlands Park loses the game and we beat Galaxy and Sundowns. So, I think sometimes we ask too much from the man above to do us those favours.”

Despite all the odds that are stacked against Mathebula and his young troops, Chiefs have heart and are calm under pressure and their two titles this season – the Gauteng Leg of the Engen Knockout Challenge and the national Engen Champ of Champs title – are proof of the club’s ability to perform when under pressure.

Playing for the renowned club comes with its challenges, Mathebula said: “When you’re playing for Kaizer Chiefs every game is difficult. Whether you’re playing against a small team or a big team, playing for Chiefs you have to perform, so you’re under pressure every game.

“I think the boys have done well. Psychologically, the players are in a better state of mind in understanding pressure, so we are not cracking. That’s an advantage. You hardly see players playing under pressure and playing with confidence but our players have shown that [they can do that] this season.”

Matters may not have gone as planned for The School of Excellence in the 2024 Gauteng Development League season. However, a number of the school’s graduates have gone on to make a name for themselves in the professional ranks.

Ahead of the last weekend of GDL action, the u13 team of the School of Excellence lies in 17th place on the table. Kaizer Chiefs, with 88 points, have already been confirmed as the champions, and have one more game to play against TS Galaxy on Sunday at the Randburg Sports Complex.

The u15 of School of Excellence team has fared far better and is in fourth place, with 60 points, but is a long way off the winners, Mamelodi Sundowns, who have already accrued 92 points ahead of their last game against Sevens Academy at Randburg on Sunday.

The School of Excellence u17 and u19 sides have delivered average results, with the u17s in 11th place and the u19s in ninth. Overall, the picture is one of the club enduring a challenging season, which, maybe, they will be relieved to conclude on Sunday before turning their sights to 2025.

However, the success of School of Excellence graduates suggests it continues to create opportunities for talented youngsters and serve as a valuable pathway to the professional ranks.

Several graduates from the School of Excellence – Emile Witbooi, Kutlwano Letlhaku, Siyabonga Mabena, and Relebohile Mofokeng – have experienced memorable years, making significant progress in their careers.

Emile Witbooi, who transitioned from the School of Excellence to Cape Town City FC earlier this year, received an invitation for a month-long trial with one of England’s top clubs, Chelsea, who as recently as 2020/21 won the Uefa Champions League. He is currently participating in an assessment at the Cobham Training Center, Chelsea’s training facility.

Witbooi has also represented South Africa at junior level in 2024, turning out for both the u17 and u20 national teams. He was a member of the squad that recently won the u20 Cosafa Championship in Mozambique after defeating Zambia 2-0 in the final. That victory sealed South Africa’s place in the 2025 Caf Africa Cup of Nations.

Fellow South African u20 player, Kutlwano Letlhaku, who played for The School of Excellence in the 2023 GDL season, has been delivering top performances for Mamelodi Sundowns, which included a man of the match-winning two goals in the Brazilians’ 2-0 win over Polokwane City in the Betway Premiership on Wednesday, 6 October.

Siyabonga Mabena, who also plays for Mamelodi Sundowns and is another graduate from The School of Excellence, was featured in an article by The Guardian newspaper on 15 October, titled, “Next Generation 2024: 60 of the best young talents in world football.”

Being named alongside some more recognised names has exposed Mabena to a large worldwide audience.

Relebohile Mofokeng, known as “President Yama 2K” in South African football, has shown himself to be one of the brightest young talents in the Betway Premiership while turning out for Orlando Pirates.

In October, he helped the Sea Robbers capture the MTN 8 Cup for a third year in succession after a victory over Stellenbosch at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in which he scored the third goal of the match in a 3-1 victory.

In June, he also made a significant impact, scoring in the Nedbank Cup final against Mamelodi Sundowns, which the Mighty Bucks won 2-1 to hoist the trophy for a second season in succession.

Graduates from the School of Excellence are making their way and making progress in the Betway Premiership, DStv Diski Challenge (Reserve League), and various other leagues. Their achievements serve as a testament to the dedication and effort invested by The School of Excellence coaches in their players and suggest that the GDL remains a hotbed for uncovering top talent.