Radebe leads Mamepe Striders charge at cross-country nationals
The club was represented by 11 runs at the championships.
Mamepe Striders coach Lefu Lephoto named Njabulo Radebe the club’s athlete of the week after the youngster finished fifth at the ASA cross-country championships at Curro Hazeldean in Pretoria on September 5.
Radebe fought a strong Gauteng North contingent in the U14 boys’ 4km to finish fifth behind winner Kananelo Makole, Theto Kekana, former CGA teammate Indiphile Myeki and Onalenna van Wyk, becoming Central Gauteng’s only athlete in the top five and first across the line.
“We are proud of him and the whole Mamepe Striders ASA cross country team. We thank him for his amazing performance,” said Lephoto.
Radebe clocked 13:24.84, helping CGA secure the team silver alongside club teammate Bohang Qhoaisa, who finished 14th, Zandrèh van der Merwe, seventh, and ninth-placed Logan Scholtz.
“Njabulo was outstanding in the CGA league phase. Our strategy was discipline and race execution. I want to commend him specifically. After our 5km jog on September 2, we had a brief team meeting.
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“Njabulo executed exactly what we discussed. This was his second ASA championships and finishing fifth shows his growth and strength. He is our athlete of the week.”
Elsewhere, the much improved Lefa Kwanele held his own in a tough and competitive senior and U23 men’s 4km, finishing 10th overall and sixth in the U23 division in a quick-fire 12:22.72, in a field of 193 athletes. He also helped CGA to the team gold in the U23 category.
Other notable performances came from Lehlohonolo Mabe and Kedibone Mohwang, who won team silver and bronze, respectively, in the U15 boys’ 4km and U23 women’s 4km.
“Together with the rest of the coaching staff, we are pleased with the team’s performance. Our athletes were consistent throughout the CGA league phase and capped it off with encouraging at the nationals,” Lephoto said.
Mamepe was represented by 11 athletes at the event, with Thabiso Jiyane, Dinah Sithole, Nqobile Maseko, Banele Shongwe, Thato Molawa and Mpho Diako also turning out for CGA.
“It was a positive end to a good season overall. Some of our youngsters still lack experience and competing with more than 100 athletes can affect the spirit of young boys and girls. But they will gain confidence along the way. I have full confidence in them.”
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