POLOKWANE – The soccer team of Northern Academy Secondary School was crowned the 2024 champions of Kay Motsepe School Soccer Competition in North West on September 28.

They beat Eletsa High School from North West 2-1 in the final match to win a R3 million prize and a floating trophy.

Thato Mpati and Pheolo Matjie were the heroes of the team after they scored the winning goals in both halves of the match.

Hendrick Mukwevho, head coach of the team said the feat will position them as one of the best schools in the country.

“This is a great achievement for me as a coach, the players and the school. We started with preparations early in January. We won all our district matches. We eliminated schools from the Free State and Eastern Cape in the quater-finals and semi-finals. The team gave their all throughout the tournament and it was an honour to represent the province at a national event, playing against the best schools in the country. This victory is a great marketing tool for the school. A lot of people have already made enquiries about the school. Most of the parents want to bring their children here because we are a winning school.”

Mukwevho thanked the school management for supporting the team during the preparations for the competition.

“The school management travelled the journey with us. They have been there with the team and they provided us with the necessary resources and we are grateful.”