University Sport SA clinches national crown
THE SAB U21 national championships ended on Saturday in Limpopo with the University Sport South Africa crowned national champions after a weeklong tournament.
The event comprised of nine provincial teams. A total of 250 players were eager to impress the scouts from the Absa Premiership and the National First Division who descended on the University of Limpopo’s Oscar Mphetha Stadium.
Orlando Pirates marketing manager Nkosana Khoza was also spotted there. The rumour doing the rounds at the event was that the Buccaneers snapped up Frank Motebejane from Team Limpopo for their MultiChoice Diski Challenge team.
University of Pretoria chief scout Tebogo Monyai and his SuperSport United counterpart, Godfrey Mosoetsa, were there.
Chairwoman of Safa competitions committee Nomsa Mahlangu said: “I would encourage South African professional teams looking for [new] talent to start here at home.
“I believe what I have seen from this tournament can help strengthen our [professional] leagues.”
Goalkeeper of the tournament Shakeel Sadien was instrumental in the University Sport SA’s 2-0 win over the more fancied Free State in the final on Saturday.
Sadien’s teammate, Tyrone Mondi, was selected man of the match in the semifinals and final.
Free State’s Thabiso Mofokeng was man of the tournament.
Sadien, the goalkeeper from USSA, is looking beyond the SAB U21 national championships and is hopeful he can make it in the top flight given the opportunity.
“There are a lot of good players in our team and I won’t be surprised if we get scouted to go to Pirates, [Mamelodi] Sundowns or [Kaizer] Chiefs. I’m also hoping I can get a trial,” Sadien said.
Lindiwe Thwala, a female referee from KwaZulu-Natal, was voted the best match official of the tournament.