Youth Cup set to unearth more gems
Scouts descend on the development tournament
The search for a new Rivaldo Coetzee will continue in Northern Cape when the Solar U-17 Youth Cup reaches its climax this weekend.
Scouts are expected to descend on the province famous for producing diamonds from tomorrow for the penultimate games leading to the final at Galeshewe Stadium in Kimberley on Sunday.
Touted as one of the country’s biggest development football youth tournaments, the event is expected to unearth other rough diamonds to follow in the footsteps of Coetzee, the Mamelodi Sundowns defender who has also been capped at Bafana Bafana level.
Some of the scouts who are set to attend are SA U-17 coach Molefi Ntseki, Kaizer Chiefs reserves coach Arthur Zwane as well as the likes of retired professionals Fabian McCarthy and Philani Khubeka. SA Football Association (Safa) acting president Ria Ledwaba will also attend.
“The finals are set to be a blast because the matches leading up to this have been nothing but compelling to watch,” said tournament organiser Willy Motlogelwa.
“We are expecting a good crowd on Saturday [tomorrow] and Sunday when we crown the eventual winners, who will walk away with a glittering trophy plus R100 000 in prize money.”
The competition kicked-off last weekend and was put together by the province, Kathu Solar Park, Sishen Solar Facility and Loago Sports and Economic Developments Solutions, in association with LaLiga.