Bree Primary beat Sonqoba to win Danone Nations Cup
Johannesburg outfit Bree Primary School defeated their Sonqoba counterparts to be crowned the 2015 u-12 Danone Nations Cup Champions, at Reiger Park’s WJ Clement Stadium, on Saturday, June 13.
Bree triumphed 2-0 in a tense penalty shootout after the sides ended the 20-minute regular time slot deadlocked at 0-0.
The defeat was Sonqoba’s second in as many years.
The Katlehong outfit lost out to Farrarmere Primary School by 2-1 in last year’s final.
Back on the pitch, in the 2015 final, it was Bree who held the ascendency for most of the first-half and pinned the 2013 champions in their own half with attacks led by Bree danger man Tshepo Baitshumedi.
Chances were few and far between in the second stanza, as Bree continued to threaten to break the deadlock.
They received a free-kick outside Sonqoba’s danger area, but Baitshumadi shot his effort straight into the hands of Sonqoba goalkeeper Nyakalo Simelane.
Sonqoba gradually came out of their shell and created their first real scoring opportunity deep into the second stanza.
Number 10, Katlego Sekhwane, received a deliciously-weighted through pass but shot straight into Mncedisi Nguse’s gloves from a tight angle.
Baitshumedi continued to bother Sonqoba: the number 8 produced a brilliant individual run as he eliminated Sonqoba’s midfielders before being handled in the box, giving the referee little option but to point at the penalty spot.
Botlhare Phalo stepped up to take the spot kick that would have all but clinched the entertaining final for Bree, with little time left on the clock, but he was dramatically denied by Simelane, with a commanding save to force the match to the penalty shootout.
With Sonqoba failing to convert their opening two kicks after Bree’s Gomolemo Dladla’s conversion, Baitshumedi coolly slotted his spot kick to send his side into euphoria.
The victory saw Bree advance to the national finals, to be held at the same venue, where they will represent Gauteng on Saturday, June 27.
Mamelodi Sundowns scout and coach Mandla Mazibuko, who was present to search for young talent, was impressed by the talent on display.
“Going into the final game, Sonqoba were the favourites due to their precision in front of the goals, but Bree Primary School played the better game in the final,” he said.
“I have identified players from all of the teams in the tournament and I will visit the national finals to see how some of these players compete against the top opposition in their age group.” – @SabeloBoksburg
