Midrand Local Football Association (LFA) chairperson and Midrand High School head of sport, Sthembiso Buthelezi, has once again put Midrand on South Africa’s football map after helping guide Gauteng to victory at the 2026 Winter National School Sport Championships (WNSSC) in the Eastern Cape.

The Ivory Park-raised football development coach formed part of the Gauteng provincial technical team that steered the province to the national U15 football title during the championships, held in KuGompo from July 11 to 13.

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The prestigious tournament brings together South Africa’s top U15 school footballers and serves as a key pathway for selection to the national schools team and future international competitions.

Speaking to the Midrand Reporter on July 25, Buthelezi reflected on the demanding journey that culminated in Gauteng’s crowning as national champions.

“The journey was long. We started from cluster, district and regional tournaments, all hosted at Midrand High School. We then moved to the provincial games in Florida, where we selected 25 players before cutting the squad down to 18 as the technical team. It was a long but motivating journey,” said Buthelezi.

Before Team Gauteng departed for the Eastern Cape from Midrand High School on July 9, Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Lebogang Maile expressed confidence that Team Gauteng would perform strongly at the national championships.

Representing the Home of Champions, Team Gauteng travelled with a 269-member delegation comprising 198 athletes, 99 boys and 99 girls, competing in football, hockey, volleyball and rugby. The athletes were supported by 38 coaches, including Buthelezi, and 33 officials.
More than 1 337 athletes from all nine provinces competed in this year’s championships.

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The various sporting codes had been preparing together since the beginning of July at schools across Gauteng. The WNSSC, spearheaded by the Department of Basic Education and Sport, Arts and Culture, remains South Africa’s premier platform for identifying and developing school sports talent.

Among the provincial squad was 14-year-old Kamogelo Sazi Motswane from Ebony Park, a Grade 9 learner at Space Age Academy in President Park, who proudly represented both Gauteng and the Midrand community.

Gauteng footballers enjoyed an unbeaten run throughout the tournament, winning every match on their way to the championship.

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The side produced a commanding 5-0 victory over the Western Cape in the semi-final, with Kamogelo opening the scoring to help book Gauteng’s place in the final.

The championship decider against KZN proved to be a thrilling encounter, with Gauteng edging their opponents 3-2 to lift the national title.

For Buthelezi, who has dedicated years to developing young football talent in Midrand, the achievement is a proud milestone not only for himself but also for the local football community.

The championships also serve as a selection platform for South Africa’s U15 schools team. Outstanding players and coaches from the tournament will be selected to represent the country at the Cosafa U15 Schools Championship, with the opportunity to progress to the CAF African Schools Championship.

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