IT was always likely to be a tough and competitive weekend when eight of the country’s established school association teams came together at the South African Schools Combined Football Association Festival to see who would become the preeminent selected group in the U19 division.
The festival began on a Friday night with the opening game between Cape North District B and Ekurhuleni B. Ekurhuleni ran out one nil winners, and the games that followed were a clear indication of who the tournament’s minnows and sharks would be, with Johannesburg North A, Cape North District A, KZN A and KZN B coming away with opening round wins that would set them up for the later stages of the event.
Going into the final game of the day on the Saturday, between JHB North A and KZN A, all four teams in the group could still qualify, with only KZN A guaranteed of going through. KZN A were desperate to at least draw to top the group and avoid their B side in the semi-finals. The minimum JHB North A required to progress was a draw, which they achieved.
Sunday saw the main section semi-finals up first, with the opening fixture being between Cape North A and KZN A. There were chances a plenty with only the skills of the festival’s top two goal keepers preventing any goals. In the end it was the skill of goalkeeper of the tournament, Thandolwethu Zondi, in the penalty shoots out with an incredible three saves that put KZN A team into the final.
The second semi-final saw KZN B take on JHB North A. Early chances for JHB North gave way to pressure from KZN B in the first half. Early in the second half a goal from KZN B’s Cailin Knock gave the team from the coast the edge and secured their place in the final.
The final was a tense and physical affair with five yellow cards being brandished in the match, clear that neither team saw themselves as the underdogs. Despite both sides creating chances and KZN B putting the A side under late pressure, the game came down to a penalty shoot out. Once again Zondi proved to be the difference maker with another two saves in the shoot out, handing the KZN A team the inaugural title.
Individual awards went to Adam Brun (KZN) as player of the festival, Thandolwethu Zondi (KZN) as goalkeeper of the festival and Zaid Ras (Cape Town North) as top goal scorer. Twelve KZN players were also selected to represent the South African School Combined Football Association team that hopes to travel to Europe in 2020.
Organisers state that the tournament is sure to grow in 2020 and defending their a title will not be easy for KZN A.
