The inaugural Schoolboy Mathunyane Sports Tournament finals took place on Sunday at the Themba Senamela Stadium, with both netball and soccer taking centre stage.

The tournament consisted of 12 schools, in four groups of four teams each, and ran for over a month.
Mkhulu Combined School triumphed over Kwazamokuhle High School during thrilling penalties in the first semi-final match.

In an exciting and electrifying finals, LD Moetanalo emerged as champions against Mkhulu Combined in penalties, with a score of 5-7.

They were rewarded with a floating trophy, gold medals and a voucher for R5 000, as well as a new playing kit for their victory.

Mkhulu received a runners-up trophy, silver medals and a voucher for R3 000, as well as a new kit.

The third position went to Kwazamokuhle, who defeated Phumelela by a solitary goal in the losers’ final. For their efforts, they were rewarded with bronze medals and R1 500.

LD Moetanalo pocketed the Top Goal Scorer and Best Goalkeeper awards, while the Player of the Tournament went to Mkhulu.

• Eastdene Combined School faced off against Sozama Secondary School in the netball finals. Eastdene emerged as winners in the exciting final and were crowned the inaugural netball champions of the tournament.

For their efforts, they were rewarded with a netball kit, gold medals, a floating trophy and a whopping R5 000, while Sozama received a kit, silver medals, R3 000 and a floating runners-up trophy.

Phumelela, who were third, were awarded bronze medals and R1 500.
Sozama scooped the Player of the Tournament award, while Eastdene and Phumelela shared the Best Defender award.

The tournament was described as a great success and good motivation for school children, which aligns perfectly with what the late Paul Mathunyane lived and strived for, to see young people getting an opportunity to excel on the sports field.

Congratulations to the Mathunyane family, led by Thato Mathunyane, and the Local Football Association, led by Giji Motha, for organising such a great, professionally run tournament.

“The Steve Tshwete community, especially schools, must definitely embrace such initiatives from philanthropists of this calibre, who play a vital role that helps take our young ones off the streets, where they fall into many forms of mischievous activities, that include substance abuse and teenage pregnancy,” said Thato.

The founders of the tournament stated that they are confident the initiative will grow even bigger going forward, judging from the success of the competition this year.