Inanda team to compete in Brazil world finals
A KZN school will represent SA in the soccer world finals in Brazil.
Siphumelele Primary School’s soccer team is going to Brazil in November to represent South Africa at the Danone Nations Cup World Finals.
The school, from Inanda won the national finals at Reiger Park, Gauteng, beating the Gauteng title-holders, Farrarmere Primary School, on penalties, after the final finished in a goalless draw.
Team manager, Emmanuel Mkhize, said the victory has been an honour and a blessing.
“We came so close to winning the title last year and our strategy since then has been to instil positive thoughts in the team. This win has also shown the boys that their efforts and hard work has paid off.”
Credit must go to the coach, Sabelo Ndwandwe, Mkhize said.
“He worked hard in ensuring that the team is physically and mentally ready for the national finals. For the players that were part of last year’s team, this means the world to them.”
Mkhize said that going into the tournament they knew that the Gauteng team was the one to beat.
“Gauteng has excellent schools that produce quality players and this year was no different. The final was tough, Farrarmere gave us a hard time. It was a challenging game. Both schools deserved to be in the final, they were the best teams on the day.”
After the win, the team captain and midfielder, Lukhanya Bayanda Msana, thanked the coach and manager for putting up with the team and believing in them. The final match against Farrarmere was for him the most challenging game.
“It was intense, and filled with action. Both schools fought very hard. When the game went to penalties I have to admit I was frightened, but I could see that they were as well. In the end it was our ability to handle our nerves that got us through.”
Preparations for the world finals will start as soon as school opens again after the holidays.
“We are hoping that the Sports Department in KZN will assist us by providing us with a qualified coach. We know that the competition will be extremely tough in Brazil where we will be playing the top youth teams around the world and we are going to need help in improving the team’s performance.”
The 2014 Danone Nations Cup World finals will take place in Sao Paulo, Brazil, from 14 to 16 November.
