FOOTBALL NEWS - A celebratory atmosphere prevailed among football supporters during the second annual Andile Xelegu Youth Day Schools Cup Tournament when they were treated to some beautiful soccer at Lawaaikamp Stadium.

Imizamo Yethu High School was crowned champions after defeating Thembalethu High 4-0 in an entertaining final game on Friday evening, 16 June. 

The four goals of the game were netted by Yamnkele Ntlaba, Athenkosi Mahala, who scored a brace, and Bongi Kauma for the defending champions Imizamo Yethu High.

The four schools that participated in this year's schools cup are Imizamo Yethu, Thembalethu High, Jonga High and Indwe High, the visiting school from Mossel Bay. In the semi-finals, Imizamo Yethu defeated Indwe High 0(1)-0(4) on the penalty shoot-outs. While Thembalethu High knocked out Jonga High 0(3)-0(2) after the goalless draw, they went straight on penalties.

The final game had a fiery start with both teams playing offensive football, looking for the opening goals of the game. Imizamo Yethu players were controlling the game, playing beautiful touches from the centre of the field. 

Thembalethu High defenders were working overtime defending the strong attack from Imizamo Yethu flanks. Yamkela Ntlaba of Imizamo Yethu scored the opening goal to make it 1-0 after a delightful cross from Athenkosi Mahala on the right side of the field.

Imizamo Yethu players were pushing, looking for more goals inside the box. Their second goal was denied by the upright after a dangerous ball from the centre of the field. Thembalethu High tried to come back into the game, creating more opportunities for their equalising goal, but it was not easy for Themba High to break through the Imizamo Yethu solid defence. 

Imizamo Yethu kept their rivals Thembalethu High at bay in the first half. The first 45 minutes of the game ended 1-0 with Imizamo Yethu leading into the break.

The second half of the game saw both teams grinding for more goals. Imizamo Yethu employed the pace of their wingers to make life difficult for Thembalethu High. Thembalethu High tried to retaliate with positive moves from the centre, but Imizamo Yethu were too strong on the centre field, controlling the game.

Imizamo Yethu goalkeeper Siyanda Kalo pulled a brilliant save when he blocked a powerful shot from Thembalethu High.

Imizamo Yethu leftwinger Lilitha Jantjies delivered another dangerous ball inside the box, but Yamkela Ntlaba missed the target after his powerful header went over the bar.

Athenkosi Mahala of Imizamo Yethu scored the second goal to make it 2-0 after a beautiful set piece from the left centre of the field. The Thembalethu boys were defending the strong attack from Imizamo Yethu wingers when Athenkosi Mahala scored his second goal to make the score 3-0 after his solo effort from the right side of the field.

Thembalethu High came back with full force but it was too late for them to break through Imizamo Yethu's backline. Imizamo launched another offensive play from the centre of the field and Bongi Kauma netted the fourth goal of the game to make it 4-0. The entertaining Youth Day soccer final ended 4-0.

Sihle Mankayi of Thembalethu High taking a penalty on Friday afternoon

The prize winners were:

• Yamkela Ntlaba - player of the tournament

• Siyanda Kalo - goalkeeper of the tournament

• Athenkosi Mahala - man of the match

Imizamo Yethu High, the tournament winners, showing off.

'Bringing learners together'

This was the second time the tournament, organised by local gospel music artist Andile Xelegu, was held.

Xelegu said this annual event was initiated in September 2019, before Covid-19 hit. After the pandemic, he decided to hold the event on 16 June every year to bring high school learners together to celebrate Youth Day while getting to know each other. He hopes to obtain more support from different stakeholders. 

"We all know that sport is one of the vehicles that can be used to fight against crime, anti-social activities and drug and alcohol abuse. Next year more schools from the Eden region will be invited to take part and for the first time the tournament will be played in Mossel Bay," said Xelegu.

He said in future, football scouts and agents will be called to join the tournament in order to identify talent in the Southern Cape.

Linathi Siko of Thembalethu High School taking a powerful strike.

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