Dr Knak is the new King of Alex primary schools football

ALEXANDRA – The King and Queen of Alex primary schools football were crowned at the finals of the Discovery Alex U12 Schools League at the Number 3 Square Grounds on 30 October.

November 2, 2019

Sipho Siso 2 minutes read

The new King of Alex primary schools' boys football Dr Knak show-off their trophy as they finally engrave their name onto it. Photo: Sipho Siso

There is a new king of Alex primary schools football and he happens to hold a doctorate.

This king goes by the name of Dr Knak and he appears to have used all his educational wisdom to outwit his rival in the final of the Discovery Alex U12 Schools League, beating the three-time and twice in a row champions, MC Weiler 3–2 on penalties after they were deadlocked 1–1 in regulation time.

MC Weiler’s girls celebrate the sweetness of victory after retaining their Discovery Alex U12 Schools League trophy for the second time in a row. Photo: Sipho Siso

It was the exact opposite for MC Weiler girls who reigned supreme to retain their title after overcoming Dr Knak on penalties. MC Weiler were crowned queens of Alex girls football after they slotted two of their six penalties while Dr Knak only managed to slot one of their six. Both teams were deadlocked 0–0 in regulation time.

In full stretch in defence of the ball is the MC Weiler boy (in blue) surrounded by his Dr Knak counterparts in a tussle for the ball during the final of the Discovery Alex U12 Schools League at the Number 3 Square Grounds on 30 October. Photo: Sipho Siso

MC Weiler girls were duly rewarded on penalties after they dominated the game but could not get past the keeper of Dr Knak who saved three of their shots on target. Dr Knak did not trouble their opposition’s goalkeeper.

In the boys’ final, MC Weiler opened their scoring account when Sandile ‘Shorty’ Nziweni, a Grade 7 learner who plays for Gunners in the Alexandra Northrand Local Football Association League (LFA), found the back of the net and gave his side the advantage going into the break.

The MC Weiler girls are the Queens of Alex primary schools football after successfully defending their trophy in 2019. Photo: Sipho Siso

MC Weiler dominated the first half and were the ones asking most of the questions but after the break Dr Knak came back the stronger side and looked the more determined to be crowned champions.

They were rewarded with the equalising goal from the boot of Neo Letlhaka, a Grade 6 learner who plays for Leicester City in the Alex Northrand LFA. Neo is better known in football circles as Messi after the Argentine international who plays for FC Barcelona in LaLiga.

A Dr Knak schoolboy (in yellow) does the bicycle kick during the final of the Discovery Alex U12 Schools League at the Number 3 Square Grounds. *Photo: Sipho Siso*

Neo’s goal was more due to a bungle from the keeper rather than pure skill from the little Messi.

Winning coach Phathu Maseko said he was proud of the boys for clinching the trophy and was particularly proud of himself for having led them to their first championship in his maiden year of coaching at the school.

“This is revenge for the defeat inflicted on us in 2015 by the same school,” said Maseko, who also coaches the Black Poison soccer team.

A joint championship celebration with Dr Knak boys (yellow) and MC Weiler girls (green) at the end of the Discovery Alex U12 Schools League tournament. Photo: Sipho Siso

Asked what he said at halftime, Maseko said he urged his team to get a goal or two to force the game to penalties. “I knew I had a good keeper capable of saving the penalties… I am coming back with the boys next year to defend the trophy.”

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