The highly anticipated top primary schools soccer tournament, hosted by the Metro South Education District (MSED), came to a grand conclusion at the Nyanga sports complex last Friday.
Schools in the under-10, under-12 and under-14 sections, were represented from four zones; the Deep South (Ocean View, Simon’s Town, Fish Hoek); Mitchell’s Plain; Lagunya Graft (Langa, Gugulethu, Philippi) and Grassy Park.
MSED schools football committee member, Tasneem Johnstone, a teacher from Duneside Primary School in Mitchell’s Plain, said sport has the power to shape character and foster unity within our communities.
“We played a school’s football league. The top primary schools in each area group are playing in the finals; for the cups, trophies and our grand winners of 2023. We enjoy coming to the stadium, the vibe here is always lekker. People always receive us very nicely. They are friendly. We haven’t had any incidence which I am happy to say and we like the police visibility. We enjoy Lagunya Graft hosting this year,” said Johnstone.
Sun Valley Primary School, near Fish Hoek, made double history by reaching the finals and by being crowned the champions on Friday. They beat Fairview Primary School 4-0 in the under-10 section.
Singing igwijo with the young boys and their parents, walking to receive the medals and trophies was Tony Johnson, from Sun Valley. The school coach said, arriving at the stadium, on time, after being lost, was already the push they needed to win the tournament.
“We won our zonal deep south division and today we are happy to announce we are the winners of the under-10 stage group. Yes we came far, we also got lost, we were late but we made it on time,” he said.
With a bright smile, Johnson said: “ This is a good way for the kids to advertise the school and the brand of soccer so they can see where their talents lay so one day they can play for Bafana Bafana. From here you never know where the roots go”.
The spectators were highly entertained by the back-and-forth attacking game between Philippi’s Zanomhle Primary School and De Duine Primary School from Lotus River on the B field.
Led by the attacking mindset of coach Hlumelo Mayaya and Brian Johnson, the two sides showed no signs of stopping. At half time they were 1-1 up each. But at the end of the match, Zanomhle would walkaway away 2-1 victors to lift the grand cup.
The goalkeeper of Montagu’s Gift Primary School, Ramees April, from Grassy Park, was immaculate in front of the posts. Up against an attacking Masivuke Primary School, he made countless crucial saves to keep the score at 1-1 at the end of the match. During penalties, he made two saves to help Montagu Gift’s win 4-2 over the Philippi-based school.
Sports teacher at Montagu Gift’s Amanzo Jacobs said the tournament was well organised.
“Although we were struggling a bit with a lot against us we managed to come up on top. Training and hard work definitely paid off. This means a lot for the boys, they never lost a game this season. They can take something home to the community knowing there is various social issues but there is a glimmer of hope in Montagu’s Gift Primary School’s under-14 boys,” he said.
