The opening two days of the Kay Motsepe Schools Championship National Football Finals at the Bergsig Academy in Rustenburg – North West were exciting, setting the stage for a thrilling climax in the Under-19 Boys division.
As the sun dipped below the horizon on Heritage Day – Tuesday, the pitch turned into a battleground as provincial champions competed in exhilarating matches in “the biggest School Soccer Tournament in South Africa.”
This football championship, a beacon of hope and opportunity, has been vital in shaping the lives of countless young individuals and their schools. For two decades, it has nurtured football talent and also provided a platform for growth and exposure in other sporting codes, such as Netball, and the ABC Motsepe SA Schools Choral Eisteddfod in recent years.
Notable alumni from the Kay Motsepe Schools Championship include Mamelodi Sundowns due, Teboho Mokoena, Sipho Mbule, Orlando Pirates defender Paseka Mako and former Bafana Bafana international Hlompho Kekana, Percy Tau. The mentioned players all began their journey in this competition and have gone on to become respected and renowned footballers on the African continent.
And in 2024, the tournament will also break new ground with the exciting addition of Under-13 girls’ and boys’ teams for the first time.
KAY MOTSEPE SCHOOLS CHAMPIONSHIP: DAY 1 AND 2 HIGHLIGHTS
The opening day of the tournament had a series of captivating encounters that showcased the raw talent and skill of the participating schools.
Limpopo’s Northern Academy emerged as a formidable force, dismantling Khotso Taole Secondary from the Free State province with a resounding 3-0 victory. In another thrilling clash, JoJo Secondary from the Eastern Cape succumbed to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Tshikota Secondary, also from Limpopo.
The intensity reached a fever pitch as Mpumalanga’s ST. Marks Academy ruthlessly overpowered Gauteng-based Khanya Lesedi, securing a decisive 3-0 win.
As the dust settled on the first day, eight teams had secured their places in the quarterfinals. The anticipation was palpable as the tournament entered its second phase.
The quarter-finals were a showcase of skill. The teams fiercely contested the matches, with some encounters requiring the dramatic spectacle of penalty shootouts to determine the victors.
TIGHT BATTLES IN THE SEMI-FINALS
Clapham High from Gauteng was sent packing in the group stages, much to everyone’s surprise. In contrast, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo each qualified two teams for the semi-finals.
The road to the finals was paved with obstacles, as Eletsa Secondary proved in their thrilling penalty shootout victory over Blinkklip High School. Tshikota Secondary also secured its place in the semifinals after a tense penalty shootout.
Eletsa Secondary emerged victorious over Tshikota Secondary in a tactical battle. In another closely contested match, Northern Academy and Shayamoya High School battled to a draw, ultimately resorting to a penalty shootout to decide the winner. Northern Academy prevailed, securing their place in the finals.
Eletsa Secondary and Northern Academy will battle in the final, scheduled for Saturday, 28 September.
Meanwhile, the Under-13 Boys and Girls’ division kicks off on Friday, 27 September.
The Championship provides a major incentive for schools to compete. The winners of the U-19 Boys division will receive a generous R3 million infrastructure development grant, while the U-13 boys and girls champions will each be awarded R1 million.
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