Walmer in provincial final

WALMER High will compete in the Eastern Cape final of the U19 Kay Motsepe Schools Cup soccer tournament for the second straight year.

The Walmer side beat Solomon Mahlangu 1-0 in the regional final at Walmer High last week to move a step closer to winning a slice of the R3.4-million winnings on offer in the tournament.

Now Walmer have about 2½ months to prepare for the provincial final, which will take place at the school on August 15.

Walmer High coach Bulelani Sina was delighted to have reached this level of the competition in his first full year with the school.

“The boys did it once again and this time around I was with the team from the beginning of the tournament,” he said. “We are so proud of the boys and hope that they continue winning like this.”

Sina coaches Young Ideas, a team based in Walmer, and was asked to also coach the school team as most of their players turn out for his club.

“I know these players very well as I have coached most of them from the age of nine years old,” he said.

“I am passionate about soccer, especially development. I have been involved in the game for as long I can remember and have helped a lot of local teams in the ABC Motsepe League.”

Hard work and dedication are what Sina identifies as key to a successful team.

“I tell the players if they are not going to put in the work, they might as well leave. Players must understand the importance of hard work from an early age. If a player works hard, it makes my job as a coach easy.”

The coach does not believe playing the district finals at home gave them any advantage.

“I think playing at home adds pressure. In most cases players end up wanting to impress their fellow students or parents who are watching, which can cost the team.

“However, this was not the case this time. The team maintained their position and respected all the other teams.”

The opening game against Ndzondelelo was the most challenging, Sina said.

“Most of the Ndzondelelo players play in the ABC Motsepe League so they were much more experienced than us,” he said. “But this tournament is there for any school to win.”

Sina is confident that they can win the Eastern Cape title this year.

“We are taking first position this year and coming back with the R100 00 for the school,” he said.

Picture: FREDLIN ADRIAAN FINE FORM: The Walmer High soccer team to qualify for the Kay Motsepe Schools Cup provincial final is, from left, front, Lubabalo Mjuza, Lwando Duala, Sanele Dlomo, Simamkele Mtanase, Aviwe Baartman, Vuyolwethu Ndokweni; back, Lubgisa Fina, Masixole...