Alex boys could form part of a team off to Paris

A team of 14 boys comprising players from Alexandra and greater Johannesburg will jet out of the country on 11 May bound for Paris, France, to represent their country in the Volkswagen Junior Masters World Tournament.

Playing under the banner of Hatfield VW, the team won the South African leg of the competition which took place from 10 to 12 December last year at Wits University. They will now represent Volkswagen South Africa at the 21-team global showpiece in Paris.

The tournament will have teams from top football countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, France and the USA participating. Volkswagen South Africa said the team of 14 boys and their coaches, head coach Lebogang Mahlangu and assistant Marks ‘Mocks’ Maseko, will use this tournament as ‘a stepping stone to bigger things to come in the football careers of the youngsters’.

Volkswagen brand public relations management, Andile Dlamini, thanked the boys for their commitment to the local tournament and for always being available at training sessions. The squad comprises players from Wanderers Warriors, Highlands Park and Real Madrid in Alexandra.

Hoping to make the final squad for the tour overseas is talented MC Weiler Primary School boy, Dineo ‘Waka-Waka’ Ntsimane, who plays for Real Madrid in Alexandra and is currently part of the junior development side of Highlands Park.

A Grade 6 pupil, Ntsimane, said he looked forward to being part of the final squad of 14. “I will be excited to make the squad as this tournament could go a long towards fulfilling my dream of playing overseas,” Ntsimane said.

Another excited boy who is keeping his fingers crossed for the trip is Tshepang ‘Computer’ Mabokela, a Grade 7 pupil at Iphutheng Primary School who also plays for Real Madrid.

Mabokela said he was looking forward to travelling outside South Africa for the very first time. “I can’t wait to join the other boys on this trip of a lifetime,” he said.

A player who will definitely be in the squad will be goalkeeper and King Edward School boy, Lliam Cothill.

Coach Mahlangu accredited Cothill for being one of the outstanding players in the local leg of the tournament.

“He’s a good keeper with a bright future ahead of him after stopping various penalties in a shootout against one of our opponents,” Mahlangu said.

Details: Andile Dlamini 011 911 2726 or dlami03@vwsa.co.za