Posted on September 08, 2010 15:52
The team comprising of mostly under-15 players was brilliant on the field as they successfully defended their title on the weekend.
Wentworth’s Highbury Sports Ground was the venue which bared witness to true development talent at its best offered by the young ‘Usuthu’.
Goals by Ntokozo Afrika and Mthewenkosi Mthiyane against Durban Swallows in the final gave AmaZulu a clear 2-0 victory to be crowned champions.
Captain of the side Bernard Thipa was voted Player of the Tournament and Midfielder of the Tournament.
The road to the final was all but easy for the young boys. In the first match of their group they beat Status fc 1-0, by Mpumelelo Mkhize’s goal. The second game saw them win 2-0 against Crusaders fc thanks to Ntokozo Africa’s two goals. They locked horns with Escombe fc in last game of the group. Even though the match ended goalless, it did produce a lot of drama and excitement. AmaZulu’s exceptional ball skills and confidence on the ball frustrated Escombe so much that at the end of the match 3 of their players including the goalkeeper had been red carded.
The tournament organisers were strict on rules and kept to their guidelines. Rumpshackes FC failed to arrive on Match Day 2, to play against Usuthu. By tournament rules they had to get a walk-over giving them a win to the semi-finals.
As it is usually with development tournaments age cheating was rife. The firm decisions by officials in line with the Engen Knockout Challenge saw Young Zebras disqualified for fielding over age players. Lady luck again proved vital for the young lads as this meant they were given a straight pass to the final for their commitment and good organization.
In the final Durban Swallows proved to be a tough opposition also but they also came under scrutiny as some of their players were not properly registered. All the same they provided a strong final battle to threaten the AmaZulu side. It was only in the second half that they lost the battle when captain of AmaZulu, Bernard Thipa’s brilliant passing which opened up the defence of Swallows to produce the goal scored by Ntokozo Afrika.
Engen KOC Tournament Director, Alfred Newman explained the reasons behind the tough decisions he and his team had to take. “This tournament is about the development of youth and local teams. As organisers we owe no apologies to teams disqualified for playing over-age players”.
Head Tournament Selector, Duncan Crowie repeated the aims of the tournament to coaches.”We all feel we can do something to help Bafana Bafana’s future. It is for this importance that we must play youngsters at their correct age groups,” said the former Santos and Bafana Bafana striker.
Coach Sonny Mtshali and his assistant and trainer Justice Mtshali were proud men. “We knew we had to win at all cost to defend the trophy. I am so proud of my boys,” said a joyful Sonny Mtshali.