The Danone Nations Cup (DNC) takes the beautiful game to the most remote parts of the country, giving kids who love soccer the opportunity to play and follow their dreams.
Every year schools from the poorest rural areas test themselves against those with better resources and facilities, and triumph. These then go on to represent South Africa in the world finals.
This past weekend Sekusile Primary School, from Kwalugedlane in the Ehlanzeni region, defied the odds to win the competition’s Mpumalanga provincial final in Middelburg.
The school is based in a rural area, and most of the players live in extreme poverty. Most survive on welfare grants and have been orphaned.
Three of the boys, one being the goalkeeper, played barefoot in the finals, yet they beat former Danone Nations Cup champions, Daniye Primary School, in a penalty shoot-out to win the Mpumalanga finals.
