Daveyton team makes it to Danone finals
“I only rely on my personal knowledge of the game to coach the boys, I teach them the basics.”
Kwatsaduza – Zamukhanya Primary School from Daveyton beat St Joseph’s Kulani 1-0 in a nail-biting u-12 Danone Nations Cup provincial final match over the weekend.
This earned them a spot in the national finals taking place at the Dobsonville Stadium, Soweto, on September 15.
Expressing his joy, coach Sibonelo Mfeka says this was their first Danone Nations Cup experience and they have reached the national finals.
“I am humbled, and it proves that dreams do come true. It doesn’t matter where one is from, whether from the dusty streets in the rural areas or the more affluent urban area, anyone can win. You just need to have faith and determination.
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“Our winning strategy was mental preparation and being able to identify talent and position that talent correctly.
“The challenge is I have no coaching qualification and I only played soccer in primary school.
“I only rely on my personal knowledge of the game to coach the boys, I teach them the basics.
“My talent is being able to pick good players and I allow them to go out and just play the game and then I encourage them and build their confidence,” he says.
The coach says he teaches the boys the game is seven against seven and to go out and just enjoy the game.
“This proved a good strategy as the provincials were not easy.
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“The teams were good and there were plenty of spectators which was a bit daunting, but the boys’ confidence was so strong that they didn’t let anything phase them.”
Sebonelo says their next step is to give their best in the finals.
“I am not going to make any changes to either the team or our training regime.
“However, I might include more practice sessions, I will not promise to win the finals but we are going to give it our best,” he says.
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