Young stars

THE Cape Town Mini Soccer School’s under 10 team will be celebrating for a long time after bringing home a trophy from Dubai.

Last week, the young footballers were victorious against teams from all over the world in one of the biggest youth football tournaments, the Dubai International Super Cup.

On the final day of the competition, they faced the PSG Beirut Academy under 10 team, and eased their way to a 2-0 win.

Naadir Hodgson, the team manager said: “Mini Soccer received a invitation from Sim Sports International to participate in the tournament.

“Five teams from South Africa were invited this year’s tournament across the various age group categories.

“The Mini Soccer School was the only

African team to win a cup final.”

Hodgson was beaming with pride at the team’s performance, and said that over the course of the tournament, they had scored 29 goals, while conceding only four.

“I think they excelled considering the opposition they faced in, among others, the Ronaldinho Academy, the Arsenal Academy and the PSG Academy.”

Arguably the most valuable player of the Mini Soccer School was 9-year-old striker Abdul Mu’izz Nortje from Retreat, who said: “It was very, very hot with long grass and a heavy ball, but we were very fit and winning the cup made all our preparation worthwhile.”

Nortje scored 17 goals throughout the tournament, as well as both the winning goals in the final match.

Midfielder Salegh Nordien, 9, from Schaapkraal said: “It was a wonderful opportunity to be chosen to play overseas and represent Mini Soccer and South Africa and to meet other players from different countries.

“I enjoyed myself very much and cannot wait for the next opportunity.”

Forward Liam Reed, 8, from Parklands, said: “The tournament was loads of fun and I enjoyed playing all the different teams.”