PASS THE BALL: Winning primary school Mophela (red) will be heading to the USA to represent South Africa. Some action during their encounter in the Danone Nations Cup finals.
Photo: Annette van Schalkwyk
The 2017 Danone Nations Cup finalist for South Africa has been confirmed but not before a good fight to secure their top spot.
LOOKING FOR THE BALL: Mophela Primary School (red) players try to block off the ball from their opposition in the Danone Nations Cup finals. Photo: Annette van Scahlkwyk
Mophela Primary School of Pinetown beat Sekusile Primary school 2-1 in the final to emerge as the 2017 Danone Nations Cup national champions.
The Danone Nations Cup finals were played on July 1 at Reiger Park, where the nine provincial u-12 primary school champions battled it out for the ultimate prize. They will represent South Africa at the Danone Nations Cup World Finals in New York City, USA, in September.
GOOD TACKLE: Some action during the Danone Nations Cup finals, which was contested by nine provincial primary school teams. Photo: Annette van Schalkwyk
Sekusile were unbeaten in the round-robin phase of the tournament. They beat Gauteng’s Arcon Park Primary School 1-0, Banhara-Bodulong Intermediate School of the Northern Cape 2-0 and Isaac Booi Primary of the Eastern Cape 3-0 to top the one group.
Mophela also emerged unbeaten. They drew with one of the tournament favourites, Haggai Independent School, from Limpopo. They went on to beat Mmamitlwa Primary of North West 3-0; Western Cape’s Idas Valley 2-1 and Phaphama Public School 3-1 to top their section and qualify for the final.
Mophela took control of the final early on and were 2-0 up early in the second half. Sekusile pulled back a goal late in the game but the KZN side held out for their first ever national title in the tournament.
ON THE MOVE: Mophela Primary School (red) won the Danone Nationals Cup finals and will play in the World Cup finals in September. Photo: Annette van Schalkwyk
