Benny’s boys prep for their trip to Paris
The u/12 team gained much needed experience and learned more about South African sports heroes on their trip to Johannesburg
JOHANNESBURG – With only two weeks left before the u/12-team from Benny’s Care Sports Academy in Tshiozwi, Louis Trichardt travel to Paris to play in the u/12 Danone Nations Cup world finals; Danone arranged a trip to Johannesburg for them to play a friendly match against a team from Wits University Football Club.
Elias Marosane from BM Mokitime Primary School in the North West and winner of the Mille competition accompanied the team as additional coach.
While in Johannesburg the team paid a visit to the sports exhibition, Freedom to Fanfare, at the FNB Stadium where they gained insight into the sporting history of the country and drew inspiration for their trip to France.
Benny’s coach, Mbishi Mokwena, said the match against Wits was a valuable learning experience for the team. He said they played against a team that was intentionally older than them, and markedly bigger in size, which was meant to give them a taste of what lies ahead at the world finals.
“South African teams have always been smaller in stature than their opponents,” he said. The team received a thrashing in the practice game, but Mokwena believes it will serve the boys well.
“We don’t have academy sides with professional coaches in Limpopo, so it was great that Wits agreed to play us.”
He was grateful to the Wits coaching team, Sibusiso Ntsinde and Stephen Miyambu, for allowing Benny’s goalkeeper, Hulisani Mashau, join the Wits keepers in training.
“The game has shown us where we need to polish our game. The Wits coaching team also gave me a few tips on how to improve our game,” he said.
Mokwena has been watching clips of their opponents in France and believes they are ready for them. “I have watched last year’s games of South Korea, Italy and Indonesia, the teams we will be playing against in our group,” he said. “I have gauged their style of play and Facebook has allowed us to do some research on this year’s teams so we are ready,” he said.
“The team from Italy is an all girls’ team but I warned my boys not to underestimate them.”
He said although a win would be great, it is important for the boys to enjoy themselves. “My boys must make the most of the trip as, for most of them, it might be the only opportunity they get to go to France.
The boys also got to test their speed and agility against the Batak at the interactive exhibition and got a taste of media attention in the interview studio so the trip to Johannesburg was well worth it.
crime@nmgroup.co.za
