Kakamas High School to represent Northern Cape in football championships
Kimberley - Kakamas High School will represent the Northern Cape in the Copa Coca Cola football championships that will take place in Cape Town next month. Kakamas football team recently won the provincial edition of the Copa Coca Cola championships; they had to overcome their strong counterparts as there were 5 schools coming from all the five districts participating in this lucrative tournament.
Other schools that played part in the tournament include Rietvale High School, Orion High School, Okip High School and Iketleletso High School, to pave their way to the finals, in the first semi-finals Kakamas walloped Rietvale High School 2- 0, while they gave Iketletetso High School some free football lessons by beating them 5-2, this score line was ultimately the highest during the one day tournament.
This tournament is regarded as one of the best schools competitions in the country; it has previously produced high quality players who have since turned professional footballers. The tournament is now running for 7th consecutive time, amongst the stars who comes from this tournament include, Andile Jali and Happy Jele who both plays for Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana, Mandla Masango who is currently in the books of Kaizer Chiefs he has also represented his country in both junior and senior levels and Excellent Walaza who also had a stint with the Buccaneers.
This year’s edition will come up with brilliant changes and fresh ideas, scouts will select a team that will be known as the All Star Invitational Team coming from the pool of up-and-coming football heroes, the selected players will stand an opportunity to be selected to attend the International COPA Camp in Brazil in June 2014.
This year Coca Cola chose Pirates defender to the tournament ambassador, the 2005 participator is optimistic that this tournament will yet again produced quality football stars as good as hi COPA,” he says. Quoted from the tournament website Jele said: “The Copa Coca-Cola championship is truly the place where heroes are made. But it’s not just your ball skills and fancy footwork that count; it’s the hard work, dedication and commitment to an active healthy lifestyle that will lead you to victory, both on and off the field.”
South African Schools Football Association President, Mandla ’Shoes’ Mazibuko, remains optimistic that the tournament’s ability to discover and nurture not only prime football talent, but healthy habits in the youth of the country. “COPA Coca-Cola has proven to be the ideal foundation for aspiring football heroes,” says Mazibuko. “Every year we grow bigger and better than before and I expect the players this year will rise to the challenge; increasing the standard of play and displaying the excellence, sportsmanship and healthy habits that would be a credit to the provinces they represent”, he added.