NC schools invited to register for Danone Cup

NEXT year the 19th edition of the Danone Nations Cup schools football tournament will take place, with South African schools participating in the tournament since its inception, winning the world title three times: in 2003, 2007 and 2009.

The tournament is run in partnership with the SA Schools Football Association (Sasfa). The global competition comprises games beginning at cluster level, with winning schools progressing to regional and then provincial levels, culminating in the national finals. The national champion team represents the country at the Danone Nations Cup World Finals.

Last year, over 2 700 schools registered to play in the initial rounds of the tournament, which is the most to have registered in the history of the tournament in this country.

The basis on which the competing nations decide on their champion team differs from country to country. In South Africa it is an inter-school competition. Other countries send their top club youth sides or academy teams, whilst others select regional or even national teams at Under-12 level.

The eventual 2018 South African national champion team will be going to the Danone Nations Cup World Finals at a venue still to be decided. No closing date for registration has been announced, but it would be best to register early.

To register for the tournament contact: Themba Tshabalala at Sasfa: or call 072 588 4957.

• Meanwhile, Sasfa has encouraged schools in the Northern Cape to register regardless of the status of the region’s top officials who are aligned with a competing body.

Sasfa president Shoes Mazibuko said registration of schools in the Province will not be affected by developments around the Province’s top officials such as its expelled president Dickson Moleko.

Mazibuko made the comments yesterday when asked about Moleko’s status. Moleko had earlier in the year opted to be part of the South African Football Association’s (Safa) drive to gain control over schools football from Sasfa. The move was spearheaded by Safa’s president Danny Jordaan. Sasfa expelled Moleko shortly thereafter. Mazibuko mentioned that a meeting in Upington on November 4, apparently convened under the auspices of Sasfa by Moleko, had failed to materialise. The meeting had allegedly been delayed by Moleko who was apparently holding out for the arrival of Safa president Danny Jordaan. Mazibuko said that once some members in the audience, who were loyal to Sasfa realised who they were waiting on, they walked out in protest.

Moleko confirmed arranging the meeting in Upington in his capacity as a Sasfa executive. He said it went smoothly as Jordaan and other Safa officials used it to explain the way forward for schools football in the country.

Moleko chuckled when asked about the walkout and promised to send the DFA a video recording of the meeting.