Battle of note on the soccer field

A BATTLE of note was fought between two schools of excellence when Turfloop School of Excellence and Limpopo Sports School of Excellence locked horns in the finals of the Nationwide Embroidery and Printing Juniors Soccer Tournament held at the Mankweng Sports Ground on Monday.

The Limpopo team however, got the better of the Mankweng team, to be crowned the champion after beating Turfloop 4-3 on penalties following a 2-2 stalemate after regulation time.

It was a second victory in as many weeks for the school after the Limpopo u/15 team was crowned the inaugural champions of the Philly’s Back to School Easter Games just the previous week.

Sixteen junior teams from all over the Capricorn district took part in a two-day soccer extravaganza, which started in the streets of Mankweng’s Zone 1 with a march to raise awareness on rape as well as children and women abuse.

Nationwide Embroidery and Printing managing director, Maria Mologadi Moloisi, said they wanted children to spread the message, as they were the main victims of these crimes. They also wanted to hone the children’s soccer skills, she added.

“We need to create a safe and secure environment for our children to grow and we found no better way to achieve this than sponsoring a soccer tournament for juniors,” Moloisi explained, before announcing that the tournament would be held annually.

The president of the South African Football Association’s Capricorn district, Abel Rakoma, said they were very appreciative of the initiative by Nationwide Embroidery and Printing.

He said the tournament sat well with them because it helped in the development of soccer in the Capricorn district and also afforded provincial coaches an opportunity to scout for new talent.

“Our words of gratitude go to Nationwide Embroidery and Printing as well as parents who came to support their children. We must keep our future stars away from social ills and lead them to the pitches where soccer is played,” Rakoma said.

Limpopo Sports School of Excellence walked away with a new soccer kit, gold medals and soccer balls. Head coach Hendrick Mukwevho, midfielder Tumelo Milula and captain Cassius Mabotja were named best coach, top goal scorer and player of the tournament respectively.