SEAN CAMPBELL
The ‘curse’ has been broken!
After seven different winners of the Gavin Manuel Schools Legacy Cup boys U16’s, the 2018 winners Portland High (pictured) are crowned 2025 champions.
In a tough final, Portland High of Mitchells Plain beat Harry Gwala High of Khayelitsha 1-0.
It took a second half penalty by Portland captain Luke Koen to separate the two teams. Harry Gwala threatened late in the second half, but the Portland defence marshalled by Koen kept them at bay.
Portland beat Glendale High 1-0 in their semi-final, with Harry Gwala beating Zeekoevlei High 2-1 in the other semi-final.
Winning manager Romano Petersen was very complimentary of the coaches of all teams, who he said were very competitive, but played the game in a good spirit.
Zeekoevlei beat Glendale to end third in the tournament.
Defending champs Plumstead lost 1-0 to Harry Gwala in the quarter finals and ended eighth.
Ocean View High, making their debut in the U18 girls section, beat Muizenberg High 2-1 in the penalty shootout with scores ending 1-1 after regular time.
Muizenberg took the lead in the first half but could not sustain the pressure from their opponents. Tournament top Goalscorer Leah Daniels equalized late in the second half to force the game into a penalty shootout.
Muizenberg beat Portland 3-0 in a penalty shootout, and Ocean View beat Iqhayiya 2-0 in their respective semi-finals.
Ocean View manager Ms Joylynn Smart says it was a nervy but exciting final. She is so proud of her girls and to see how far they have grown as a unit and in confidence.
Iqhayiya beat Portland to secure the bronze medal.
Double defending champs Manyano had a poor tournament by their standards and lost to rivals Harry Gwala in the Plate Final.
Individual winners:
Top Goalscorer (Girls)
Leah Daniels – Ocean View High
Top Goalkeeper
Sibahle Gabiso – Muizenberg High
Player of Tournament
Kihanna Francke – Ocean High
Top Goalscorer (Boys)
Lincoln Daniels – Oval North
Top Goalkeeper
Sinothando Mahlasela – Harry Gwala High
Player of Tournament
Luke Koen – Portland High
