COPA Coca-Cola Provincial finals in Gauteng

After an action-packed round of regional matches showcasing exceptional football, it’s Gauteng’s turn to determine who will represent the province in the upcoming national finals of the 2014 COPA Coca-Cola u.15 football tournament.

Reigning champions Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School will be in action again this year as they begin defending their title at the Gauteng provincial finals, taking place on Saturday August 30 at the Central Sports Complex in Mamelodi.

The action gets under way at 09:00 with the finals taking place in the late afternoon. The teams will play pool matches in two groups, followed by playoff matches. The top eight u.15 schools teams will then battle it out for top provincial honours and a spot in the national finals, taking place from Friday, October 17 to Sunday, October 19.

Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School, better known for being the home for the Supersport United Development Academy, has firmly established themselves as one of the best soccer schools in the country. Having won both provincial and national titles at various age group tournaments over the years and as the defending COPA Coca-Cola champions, the team has proven that they are once again the ones to beat at the Gauteng provincial finals.

Ronald Petersen, Team Manager for Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School said, “After a challenging elimination process, we are delighted that the boys have made it to this stage. Through their dedication they have done the school proud once again. It is tournaments such as COPA Coca-Cola that will carry the legacy of our country’s football development, and continue to give players an opportunity to be part of high quality football.”

President of the South African Schools Football Association Mandla ‘Shoes’ Mazibuko added: “We are really excited about the Gauteng leg of the 2014 COPA Coca-Cola u.15 tournament, and we expect the teams to give it their all as the stakes are high. We are pleased that Coca-Cola remains a committed sponsor of the tournament, as the success of national teams is dependent on identifying and growing talent at an early age.”

Challenging reigning champions Rosina at the provincial finals will be a number of both established and up and coming football schools, all eager to wear the crown. These schools include the Ekurhuleni-based SAFA Transnet Sport School of Excellence, Highlands North Boys’ High School from Johannesburg East and Clapham High School, home of the Mamelodi Sundowns Development Program in Tshwane North.

Mohloli High School from Sedibeng East will also be taking part and the players are no strangers to the competition, having participated in the tournament since inception and crowned Gauteng champions in 2011.

While newcomers, Indoni Junior Secondary School from the West Rand, Ekurhuleni-based Kenneth Masikela Secondary and Mahlasedi High School from Johannesburg are keen to make their mark on Saturday.

The ultimate winning school of the 2014 COPA Coca-Cola football tournament will walk away with the honours of being named the 2014 champion and earn R60 000 to be used towards the development of their school. The second and third place winners will receive R30 000 and R25 000 respectively.