Sport

Kempton Park FC U8 obtains silver medal at tournament

To finish second in their group, Kempton Park FC needed to win their final group-stage match by at least 10 goals.

Kempton Park FC U8 team secured a silver medal at the Ibercup tournament in December.

The team played four matches during the group stage.

In their opening game, they suffered a 2-0 defeat against the Durban Eagles. Experimenting with changes to their usual line-up and formation ultimately proved costly.

ALSO READ: Local golfer gains victory at tournament

On the second match day, they returned to their usual set-up and earned a 2-1 victory against Benoni Northerns FC.

On the third match day, the team played two games. They lost their first match 3-0 to Tshiama Academy.

To finish second in their group, Kempton Park FC needed to win their final group-stage match by at least 10 goals.

The team rose to the challenge, defeating Free State Stars 13-0 to progress to the semi-finals.

“We faced Sunward Park in the semi-finals and managed a thrilling 3-2 win. It set up a highly anticipated final against Tshiama Academy,” said Simbongile Baqwa, the club vice-chairperson.

In the final, Kempton Park FC fell 3-1 to Tshiama Academy.

Despite the loss, Baqwa praised the team’s efforts.

“We were flat in the finals. I believe the intense matches against Free State Stars and Sunward Park drained a lot of energy from our boys, and we could not get any more out of their young bodies,” he explained.

Baqwa reflected on the tournament as an unforgettable experience for the players.

ALSO READ: Local player gears up for upcoming tournament in Turkey

“We could not be prouder of their second-place finish. Special thanks go to our coach, Shugah Phuthumani Jonisile, for his incredible work with the boys, and to team manager Mpho Madzivha, who creates an enabling environment for both the coach and parents.”

He said the club is committed to participating in the 2025 edition of the Ibercup.

However, their immediate focus will shift to competing in the league and league cup.

At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here.
Back to top button