St Mark’s Academy U13 girls’ football team was crowned champion of the 2026 Kay Motsepe Schools’ Championship after securing a 3-0 victory over Lwazi Primary School from the Western Cape in the national final at Giant Stadium in Soshanguve on Wednesday, September 30.

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The victory earned the local team R1m in prize money.

Organised by the Motsepe Foundation in partnership with Sanlam, the South African Football Association and the Department of Basic Education, the tournament features U13 boys’ and girls’ divisions alongside a U19 boys’ category. The competition brings together top school teams nationwide, progressing from district to provincial levels before culminating in the national finals.

Team manager praises squad’s dedication

Speaking to Mpumalanga News, team manager Lethuxolo Manda expressed delight at winning on the national stage. She noted that after the girls’ team finished as runners-up last year, their outstanding performance this season propelled them to the top.

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Manda attributed the success to dedication, hard work and great effort by the coach and players, adding that the achievement was made possible through unwavering support from parents, the principal and the school director.

Vuyisile Mtsweni took the U13 girls’ Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament awards.

U19 boys fall short of title defence

Meanwhile, the St Mark’s Academy U19 boys’ team, which won the national championship last year, fell short of defending its title this season. Despite finishing second in the provincial competition, it still managed to qualify for the national tournament.