Prestige College from Gauteng – Pretoria was crowned 2014 McDonald’s U/14 Schools League champions after clinching a deserved 5 – 2 victory over Bjatladi High School from Limpopo in the finals at Actoville Stadium in Benoni on Saturday, 04 October 2014.
The Finals mark the culmination of an exciting 2014 league season, which saw over 3300 schools from 9 provinces battle it out in a series of provincial play-offs, before the top provincial schools met in Gauteng for the national finals.
Under the leadership of their dedicated coach, Norman Ngomba, Prestige College lifted the cup in victory.
Top performing players were recognized at the finals; Thamsanqa Nyemba from Bodikela Secondary School was named Top Goal Scorer, while his team mate, Thulasiwe Mokoena was named Goal Keeper of the tournament. Maratwe Motjane from Bjatladi Secondary School was named Player of the tournament.
Speaking at the finals, Sechaba Motsieloa, Corporate Affairs Director of McDonald’s South Africa, says: “We are exceptionally proud to witness yet another successful McDonald’s U/14 Schools League. Seeing the dedication and commitment of the players and the coaches across the tournament is testament to the fact that we are developing dreams and impacting children’s lives in a meaningful way.”
The McDonald’s U/14 Schools League, currently in its 5th year, provides structure for children to showcase their football talent and giving rising stars the opportunity to be scouted and ultimately hone their football skills to play at a professional level.
Mandla ‘Shoes’ Mazibuko President of SASFA said: “The development of grassroots football in South Africa is given a substantial boost by the McDonald’s U/14 Schools League. The children playing in this league are exposed to fantastic opportunities to enter the professional levels of football. In turn, these youngsters become inspirational role models for their peers and their communities and further encourage a wider group to develop the full potential of their dreams.”
The 2014 tournament finals are the culmination of an exciting season for the children and their coaches, particularly as 2014 heralded the launch of WorldCoaches programme to South Africa in partnership with KNVB – The Dutch Football Association. The programme has trained over 170 coaches in nine provinces.
Other results from the finals:
• Position 3: Bodikela Secondary School – Free State
• Position 4: Khethokuhle Secondary School – Kwa-Zulu Natal
• Position 5: Robinvale High School – Western Cape
• Position 6: Keidebees Intermediate School – Northern Cape
• Position 7: Sol Plaatjie Secondary School – North West
• Position 8: Eluhewini Combined School – Eastern Cape
• Position 9: Coromandel Primary School – Mpumalanga