Sinani United FC beat Bohlabela Sports Academy 4-0 at KaBokweni Stadium on August 9, ending the SAFA Ehlanzeni Forek U17 League season with a thrilling victory.

The league is a prominent youth development football programme in Mpumalanga, jointly run by the SAFA Ehlanzeni region and the Forek Institute of Technology.

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The competition unearths amateur local football talent and prepares young players for professional transitions, with more than five players scouted through the league already playing in the PSL.

4 goals break second-half deadlock

Both teams struggled to score in the first half of the final and went into half-time tied at 0-0. The situation changed in the second half when Sinani sharpened their tactics.

Maradona Shilubane scored the opener to put his side in the lead. Sakhile Mabunda then secured two goals for Sinani before Sakhile Mshika added a fourth to seal the win.

Focus shifts to new season

Sinani United club manager Cyril Morele said he was proud of the team’s performance, adding that the players showed great hunger and spirit in the second half.

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“The celebrations will be cut short as we have already begun preparations for the new season and all the focus shifts to that,” said Morele. “We are very grateful to SAFA and Forek for this great initiative and hope that more diamonds will continue to be picked here through the Forek league.”

Morele added that the team plans to continue competing strongly in every competition and defend their league title heading into the new season.