FNB unearthing football talent in Msunduzi
Pietermartizburg youth afforded the opportunity to participate in friendly soccer activities
AS part of celebrating the youth month, Msunduzi municipality through sport development programme afforded the youth an opportunity to participate in soccer activities under The FNB Football First Legacy Programme.
The FNB Football First Legacy Programme is a partnership between Msunduzi Municipality and First National Bank. This programme has gifted Pietermaritzburg football playing boys and girls from grassroots level to under 13 and under 15 an opportunity to be coached by SAFA accredited coaches.
The 5 regions that participate in this prestigious programme are Toyando, George, Kimberly, Umtata and Pietermaritzburg, with each region holding an annual festival to identify talented and potential players to be coached by accredited coaches who have been sent for training by FNB for their accreditation or coaching licenses. The coaching clinics are from Monday to Wednesday, from 14h00 to 16h30.
Children identified in the festival, are
then coached by these recognized coaches, namely, Miss. M Khumalo, Mr. P Hlatswayo and Mr. T Sindane, whom are managed by Mr R Harrilal.
The 2019 schools that were selected to participate in the Pietermaritzburg festival are as follows: Edendale Tech (boys and girls), KwaPata High (boys and girls), Bisley Park Primary (boys and girls), Scottsville Primary (boys and girls), Smero High (boys), Laduma High (boys), Edendale Primary (boys), Pelham Primary (boys), Cleradon Primary (boys) and Northdale Squad.
On the day of the festival several school teams did not pitch up. That did not stop the proceedings as Muzithusi Primary (boys and girls), Siyahlomula High (boys and Girls) and Ashdown Primary (Girls) came through to fill the places for the schools that did not pitch up.
Held at Caluza Sports Centre Soccer Field, the games were a knockout system for the boys and a round robin for the girls. In a tight contested final for boys between Edendale Primary and Smero High, was eventually separated by a goal that saw Edendale Primary being crowned 2019 champions.
The girl’s final between Edendale Primary School and Siyahlomula High was also won by Edendale primary by a goal to nil. Nobahle Zulu was named as a player of the tournament and Khelweni was also named player of the tournament in the boy’s section.
Players that were identified by the coaches based on their potential were selected to represent Pietermaritzburg region in the Soccer Festival that will take place in Johannesburg later this year. At this festival scouts from the Premier Soccer League teams comes to scout for players and recruit them into their academies.