Lim team wins national tournament

Benny’s Sports Development and Academy from Venda is the first ever team from the province to win the national title of the Danone Nations Cup and is now determined to repeat their star performance when they represent the country at the Danone Nations Cup Finals in France from 14 to 16 October.
Their triumph follows a decisive 5-3 victory over BM Mokitime Primary School from North West in the national finals held at WJ Clements Stadium in Reiger Park, Boksburg last Saturday. The team is also the first sports development school to take the title. Strikers Xolani Muleya and Kiavan Mahangwahaya scored the team’s goals.
Delighted Coach Mbishi Mokwena said their victory was inspired by the tournament‘s motto: ‘Believe in your dreams’ and his dream since January was to win it. “We followed the tournament religiously on Facebook. We knew who had gone through to the finals, investigated the type of football they played and the quality of players they had and we prepared accordingly,” Mokwena explained.
He added that the team went into the nationals focused, confident, quiet and determined. “The night prior to the nationals, while the kids from the other schools were running around having fun, but we decided to stay focused,” Mokwena said.
“We were nervous about playing BM Mokitime in the final. They had won all their games whereas two of our games ended in a draw, and I knew prior to the nationals that they were a good side. But I had faith in my team.”
Mokwena who also won the Provincial McDonalds u.14 School League Championship with the academy last year said he didn’t change anything in the run-up to the nationals. “Team changes or changes in strategy can throw players this young off their stride, so we did what we normally do in the week prior to the nationals,” Mokwena said.
He emphasised that going to France will be an opportunity to learn different styles of play, but he wants the boys to enjoy the experience of being part of one of the biggest soccer development tournaments in the world.
“My ultimate dream is to be the most successful development school in South Africa. This age, 10 to 12 years old, is the most important phase because young players can absorb a lot of information and they are easier to instruct. Dealing with teenagers is more difficult because they start to believe that they know better, which is the downfall of many a player’s career. We have asked for videos of previous world final games to help us prepare,” Mokwena informed.
“I know that it is a whole new ball game now, but I am not going to put too much pressure on the boys as that will affect their confidence and therefore their performance. We will note the different methods of play and build our game accordingly. One thing I know is that almost every country will have players bigger than ours, but we are nimble and able to work around this,” stated Mokwena.
He thanked the tournament sponsors for giving the soccer players an opportunity, to follow their dreams by being part of such an important tournament.
The team comprises of Dakalo Mukwevho, Adivhaho Mudau (Captain) Hulisani Mashali, Xolani Muleya, Rotondwa Davhana, Rashaka Musekwa, Malesela Matlala, Jabu Nolela, Ephraim Mudau, Kaivan Mahangwahaya, Neo Kitima and Ritshidze Malingana.

Story & Photo by: Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert@mailbox.co.za

Featured Photo: The team of Benny’s Sports Development and Academy are overjoyed after winning the national title in the 2016 Danone Nations Cup.