Schools set for Danone Cup
THE SA Schools Football Association (Sasfa) is on a drive to boost the number of schools that will play in the under-12 Danone Nations Cup competition this year, and the Eastern Cape event coordinator is expecting numbers to increase to more than 220.
Traditionally, schools focus on athletics in the first term which has resulted in them being under pressure to get their soccer teams ready for the Danone Nations Cup as it was played earlier in the year to accommodate the world finals. This year there is more time at their disposal, as the 2018 world finals will only be taking place next year, together with the 2019 world finals, in celebration of Danone’s centenary anniversary.
This proved to be good news for coach Masixole Goli of King William’s Town’s Charles Morgan Primary School.
The school has been entering the tournament since 2012 and managed to get into the provincial finals in 2013, but they have not managed to achieve success since. In an attempt to change their fortunes, Goli made the decision not to enter the tournament last year but rather send the kids to local clubs in King William’s Town where they could get better coaching throughout the year. “
In preparation for this year, I decided that the kids needed to play soccer throughout the year as opposed to just playing the sport in term two. In this way, they get first-class coaching and more match practice as they participate in the local leagues.”
Last year's defending provincial champions, Isaac Booi Primary, will be looking to retain their title.
Schools can still register by contacting Sasfa national coordinator Themba Tshabalala, on (011) 403-2844, 084-290- 0602 or 072-588-4957. Alternatively, visit the Danone Nations Cup South Africa Facebook page or go to www.facebook.com/dncsouthafrica . Documents are also available at www.danone.co.za .