Academy youth deliver goods in top company

EASTERN Cape boys gave Bidvest Wits Academy a run for their money when they played two friendly matches at the clubs’ headquarters in Johannesburg at the weekend.

Carlos Soccer Youth Development Academy (CSYDA) went head-to-head with Bidvest Wits’ Development U15 and U19 teams and stunned the team’s (Wits) management with their play.

CSYDA played the first half with ease with the score deadlocked 0-0 at break time. The East London side only started conceding goals when they introduced U13 players and the match ended 3-0.

CSYDA director, Eric Carlos Mtshamba said they gave the boys a chance to play against the best.

“We wanted to give them an opportunity to test themselves against these boys, and we lost but I am happy because our boys showed determination,” he said.

“U15s did very well and gave Wits a good run for their money during the game. We did have chances to score but every time we passed their defence we would choke, and we were because of that.”

He said all the games went as planned and the Wits side’s management was impressed by the play of the boys from the academy.

Mtshamba said the main event – the U19 game – was one of the best they had ever played in.

“The U19 boys from both teams were on fire and they played outstanding football.

“We missed seven clear chances to score out of 12 opportunities and we only managed to score one goal in the last minutes. not clinical

“What I liked a lot about my boys is that they were very disciplined and they only showed respect and were not fearful of their counterparts,” he said.

Mtshamba said the coaches at Bidvest identified two boys in the team that are set to return to Johannesburg to train with them in Auckland Park.

“Those boys showed true potential they just need continued support and they will end up playing for teams like Wits,” Bidvest Wits Academy head coach Ashley Makhanya said.