Central sparkle, but no cigar

Despite returning to East London from Kimberley with no silverware last week, the EL Central U12, U14, U16, U18 and senior sides delivered top-class performances at the 11th Edition Interprovincial Inter-Local Football Association tournament, hosted by Sol Plaatjies LFA.

Central’s team manager Vuyo Zambodla said the association ultimately achieved its main objective and that was to afford its youth the chance to compete against the cream of football talent nationally at LFA level.

“It was a lifetime experience for our youth,” said Zambodla.

“We also received a major boost when private individuals Warren Vengadajellum and family, the wife of the late Shane Benny [former Central vicepresident] Sadey Benny and family, Ginger Love brand owners Calvin Brown, wife Virginia and Simone Klaasen all chipped in for our trip to Kimberley to be a success.

“On behalf of the association I want to thank these community ambassadors for their unselfish contributions.”

Both Central U12 and U14 representative sides reached championship cup finals in their respective age groups while the U18s advanced to the semifinals before succumbing 5-4 on penalties against tournament hosts and eventual U18 cup winners Sol Plaatjies LFA.

Alezandro Langley and Marvin Mathee were outstanding for Central’s U18s.

Under the mentorship of the astute Alberto Lai Wing, Avril Adams and Malvery Bobbs the North End-based U12 side blew away all opposition in their round-robin ties which included inflicting a first-ever defeat (3-2) on seven times reigning champions Northern Areas.

The young, exciting Cade Skinnette, Ethan Pitie and Junaide Jasson were superb throughout the tournament for the Central U12s.

The U14 squad managed by Gerald Johannes and Donovan Manual produced awesome displays in their round-robin games beating Northern Suburbs 3-0, Kimberley Bush Bucks 4-0 and ending Northern Areas LFA’s amazing nine consecutive trophy haul with an emphatic 3-1 victory.

Central U14 Cameron Witbooi was voted best keeper of the tournament with his fine play.

However, it was not to be on the final day for both Central’s U12 and U14s when, after winning both their semifinal cup ties against Sol Plaatjies LFA, the heat took its toll on them as Western Cape’s Northern Suburbs proved too strong, winning the U12 (3-0) and U14 cup finals (4-3 on penalties after the match ended goalless).

East London Central also had the distinction of having their four match officials Mawabo Mdyogolo, Sibongile Tsengiwe, Lundi Smayile and Aaron Ngqambiyana appointed to officiating the senior tournament cup final on the last day of the event.

Sol Plaatjies LFA Interprovincial Inter-LFA Tournament final results

U12: Northern Suburbs 3 East London Central 0

U14: Northern Suburbs 0 East London Central 0 (Suburbs win 4-3 penalties) U16: Cape District 2 Sol Plaatjies 1 U18: Sol Plaatjies 1 Cape District 1 (Sol Plaatjies win 5-4 on penalties) Seniors: Sol Plaatjies 2 Cape District 0.