Stephen Penney @penneyspix2197 The Sakhulutsha Youth Academy U17 soccer side returned to Grahamstown with 3 draws, a win and a loss at the end of the Walter Sisulu U17 Discovery soccer tournament.
Stephen Penney @penneyspix2197 The Sakhulutsha Youth Academy U17 soccer side returned to Grahamstown with 3 draws, a win and a loss at the end of the Walter Sisulu U17 Discovery soccer tournament.
The tournament took place at the Soweto Nike Centre during December. The Sakhulutsha squad was made up of Aviwe Skera, Anele Hashe, Elam Makeba, Bulelani Mendile, Lebu Yamkela Saule, Mzikayise Ragale Ralo, Vuyolwethu Poster Zumani, Miihlali Skhwama Booi, Tinashe Mercedes Benz Clinton and Asanele Napoleon Nkatsha.
Siyabonga Masinda, development manager at Sakhulutsha, said the tournament was a good one for his players. Masinda said he only took 11 (although sides were allowed up to 18 players) as he selected only the well-disciplined and most focused members of the teams.
Masinda said that while many youngsters “do bad things”, Sakhulutsha “do not promote drinking, etc,” which was why he took a select group. Masinda said that while the tournament was expensive for the academy, it was all worth it, as the tournament was “good for the players”.
Masinda said he was grateful to local businessman Sipho Dyibhishe who partly sponsored their trip. Apart from playing against other teams, Masinda said his side was able to compete against better teams and was exposed to other environments. “Johannesburg is the Hollywood for South African soccer,” he said, adding that many of the soccer scouts from around the area as well as former SA soccer players watched a number of the games.
Masinda said he was approached by Andries "Chaka Chaka" Mpondo, a retired South African football striker who played for Moroka Swallows, who said he wanted to see the Sakhulutsha side in action again. Apart from all his upcoming academy tournaments and league games, Masinda said he is looking for funding to possibly take the team back to Soweto. Masinda invited local businesses to help towards the trip.
“This can be via booking our accommodation or paying for the transport,” said Masinda, who can be contacted on 078 090 7195. The Sakhulutsha U17 side are the current Makana Local Football Association U17 champs, and will represent Makana at the Engen U17 tournament in Port Elizabeth in June.
According to Masinda, the Sakhulutsha side which plays in the Makana LFA Premier Division (senior teams) is the only one made up of only U17 players. Unfortunately the holidays ended in tragedy for one of the players, Vuyolwethu Manganya, who drowned in Port Alfred on 1 January.
Masinda said Vuyolwethu was a great loss to the side as “he was one of the most disciplined”, adding that he wants the U13 players in his academy to “follow in his footsteps”. Masinda said they will look at hosting a soccer tournament this year in honour of Vuyolwethu.
Sakhulutsha scores at the Discovery tournament: Drew 1-1 with Alex Academy Drew 1-1 with Wits Lost 1-4 to Eldos Academy Beat Shooting Stars 2-1 Drew 1-1 with Medolands Academy
