Local schools go head to head for league

The Ekurhuleni Invitational League (EIL) FA Cup – Super Cup final was filled with excitement when the teams fought for the top honours.

In the end, Sir Pierre van Ryneveld High School was crowned the girls’ champions after beating Rhodesfield School of Specialization-Aviation through a penalty shoot-out.

Sir Pierre van Ryneveld High School hosted the finals on May 18.

The tournament featured four divisions, including the EIL, a girls’ division and boys U15 to U19.

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The top two teams from each division faced each other in the Super Cup final.

The teams that participated included Sir Pierre van Ryneveld High School’s girls’ and boys’ teams, Mel International School and Dowerglen, Bedfordview and Dinwiddle high schools.

All top eight games playing on the day went to penalty shoot-outs to determine the winners for each division.

The first game of the finals was the girls’ division. Sir Pierre van Ryneveld High School went against the Rhodesfield School of Specialisation-Aviation.

Sir Pierre dominated the game in the first few minutes, ensuring they capitalised on their rivals’ opportunities.

After several goal attempts, Sir Pierre’s Siphesihle Tsotetsi scored the game’s opening goal.

Their jubilance was, however, short-lived, and Rhodesfield tightened their defence.

Tiyana Carries scored the equaliser for Rhodesfield, and the competition became tougher for both teams.

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The girls from Sir Pierre continued creating chances and scored their second goal, but it was ruled as taken in an offside position.

The first half ended in a one-all draw.

It was a masterclass performance from both teams in the second half.

Rhodelsfield’s Carries and Mpumelelo Mnisi stood out, but the girls from Sir Pierre refused to give up without a fight, and Tebogo Mzolo scored their second goal.

In reply, Carries scored her second goal for her team.

The match was drawn 2-all when the final whistle blew, so it went to a penalty shoot-out.

The Sir Pierre girls won the penalty shoot-out four goals to three.

Sir Pierre coach Thuli Shabalala said she knew her team would win.

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“I knew we would win but again, I knew it would be a tough game. We had faced the Rhodesfield girls in the league games, and it was a tough match. We knew we had to win this one.

“To say I was scared during the penalty shoot-out is an understatement. Our keeper struggled but showed we can rely on her,” said Shabalala.

Sir Pierre van Ryneveld High School girls’ team captain, Nqobile Rapulana, expressed her joy and excitement and shared what kept them going and fighting until the final whistle.

“We had faith. Believing in ourselves behind the ball is everything. I told my team the cup was ours from the start, and we kept pushing with that mentality. We pushed our fears aside and faced our challenges,” she said.

“We are the first girl group in our school’s history to win the cup, so it is special for us,” she said.

Rhodesfield School of Specialisation-Aviation coach Ellen Chumburu said her team was sad to lose.

“It was a good game. We messed up in the penalties, but overall, it is about children,” she said.