Eldorado Park’s Breakthrough Soccer Academy, in partnership with Zerua Christian School of Excellence (ZCSE), celebrated a historic triumph after winning the Espanyol International Cup (EIC), recently held in Johannesburg.

The academy fielded three divisions, U14, U16, and U17 girls, and topped all divisions, winning 13 out of 14 games, with the U14s crowned overall team of the tournament.

The EIC featured over 40 teams from across South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Angola, Congo, and other regions.

According to Coach Leroy ‘Smiley’ Smith, founder of Breakthrough Academy, the victory represents years of consistent hard work and dedication to nurturing township talent.

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“The U14s went undefeated, scoring about 20 goals and conceding only two. They played absolutely beautiful football that reflected our philosophy, our culture, and our vision for how football should be played,” he said.

Smith, who started the academy in 2021 during the final stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, described the journey as inspiring.

“We have built a partnership with Zerua that goes beyond football. It’s about developing the individual before the player, socially, mentally, physically, and spiritually,” he added.

The academy’s U17 girls excelled in their respective divisions, and their strong performances have also qualified them for the IBER Cup, the largest youth football competition in Africa.

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Smith revealed that the qualification effectively saves the academy over R270 000 in registration fees.

“To register normally for the IBER Cup would cost around R80 000 per team,” he explained. “Winning at Espanyol means free entry. It’s a reward for the incredible effort these kids have put in all year.”

Beyond the results, the achievement highlights the rise of Eldorado Park as a developing football hub.

“For a long time, our schools in the Eldos cluster were not recognised for football. Now, after dominating tournaments across the South, we have shown that our players can compete at national and even international levels,” said Smith.

The academy has already produced several promising players, with four representing Gauteng at national games and attracting attention from major PSL clubs at junior level.

Smith credited the support of Zerua principal Candice Fick, sponsors such as Moya Fair Property Holdings, and the continued encouragement from the Eldorado Park community.

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The partnership between Zerua and Breakthrough Academy continues to strengthen, with both institutions committed to combining academic excellence with sports development.

A representative from ZCSE said that sport in Eldorado Park was more than recreation. It served as a tool for transformation and youth development.

He explained that despite the immense sporting talent in the area, young people continue to face social and economic challenges that limit their progress.

“The biggest challenges remain access to adequate facilities, limited funding, and the need for greater community involvement,” he added.

He further pointed out that while thousands of learners participate in football, netball, athletics, and other sporting codes, the lack of infrastructure, particularly the absence of a synthetic athletics track and a multipurpose centre in Ext 9, restricts growth.