UJ grounds come alive as young footballers compete for silverware in Discovery Primary Schools Knockout Cup
Young footballers from across Johannesburg displayed their skills, where organisers highlighted the growth of school football and the emergence of future stars.
The next generation of football talent took centre stage at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) grounds as schools from across Johannesburg battled it out in the Discovery Primary Schools Knockout Cup.
The tournament brought together young players, coaches, schools and supporters for a celebration of school football, with organisers highlighting the steady growth of both boys and girls competitions.
Competition convener Ryan Stephenson, who oversees the tournament on behalf of the Johannesburg Primary Schools Football Association, said the increased participation and enthusiasm around the event showed how much school football has developed.
Read more: Moeneeb Josephs Little Legends Winter Soccer Festival electrifies Emmarentia Primary
He said the atmosphere at UJ reflected the growing passion for the sport, with large crowds supporting the young players and coaches continuing to improve the standard of football. He added that stronger coaching structures at schools were helping players develop technically and tactically, resulting in a higher standard of football being displayed at the tournament.
According to Stephenson, the competition is proving that South Africa has a strong foundation of young talent waiting to be developed. One of the biggest highlights has been the continued growth of girls’ football. Stephenson said the increase in participation at younger age groups has been particularly encouraging, with the U9 girls’ age group expanding from eight teams last year to 16 this year.
Also read: Seniors shine at first Gogo soccer tourney in Newlands
He said watching young girls compete with confidence and skill showed the progress being made in developing women’s football at the grassroots level. Beyond the goals and results, Stephenson believes the greatest success of the Discovery Knockout Cup is the way it brings communities together.
Tournament results
- U9 Girls: Yeshiva College beat Torah Academy 3-1. Player of the Match: Neviah Nathan (Yeshiva College)
- U11 Girls: Cliffview Primary defeated Leicester Road Primary 5-1. Player of the Match: Ntwanano Chauke (Cliffview) – her third consecutive Player of the Match award this year
- U9 Boys: St Declan’s and Bryanston Primary drew 2-2, with both teams receiving gold medals and a trophy. Player of the Match: Thakgalo Mokale (Bryanston)
- U10 Boys: Curro Wilgeheuwel and HeronBridge drew 5-5, with both teams awarded gold medals and a trophy. Player of the Match: Mohau Mosana (Curro Wilgeheuwel)
- U11 Boys: HeronBridge beat Reddam House Waterfall 4-2. Player of the Match: Gabriel McLellan (HeronBridge)
- U12 Boys: Glenanda Primary cruised past Cliffview Primary 5-0. Player of the Match: Christopher Strefern (Glenanda)
- U14 Girls: Bryandale Primary edged Crawford Lonehill 3-2. Player of the Match: Chloe Unigwe (Crawford Lonehill)
- U13 Boys: ESCA Wanderers defeated Sharonlea Primary 6-1. Player of the Match: Troy Mulligan (ESCA Wanderers)
- U14 Boys: Waterstone College overcame Reddford House Northcliff 4-2. Player of the Match: Mateo Dos Santos (Waterstone College)
Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates!
