Mondale High School under-19 head coach Valhatiem Raynard admitted that they did not pitch up at the races resulting in an early elimination at the provincial finals of the Kay Motsepe School Championship in Saldanha Bay on Saturday.
Raynard and his team arrived with high expectations after winning a fourth Western Province district title to qualify for the provincials on the West Coast.
The Mitchells Plain-based school however found the going tough and was eliminated after losing their first two matches in blistery windy conditions at the Saldanha Bay Stadium which automatically ended their hopes.
Raynard gave a very sober assessment following their disappointing showing at the tournament.
“The boys were just not at the races,” Raynard admitted. “We live and we learn,” Raynard added.
Meanwhile, all the respective finals were decided with the lottery of penalties. In the under-19 section Murray High School from the Eden District defeated Qhayiya Seconday from the Overberg region by 10-9. Both schools will advance to represent the province at the nationals.
In the under-14 boys Itistsitsa Primary school from Mfuleni, who represented Safa Cape Town in the absence of Herzlia High, came narrowly close but lost out to Masiphathisame Primary School from Safa West Coast by 4-5 (0-0).
Similarly, Lukhanyo Primary from Safa Overberg edged out Lwazi Primary from Safa Cape Town by 4-3 the girls’ section.
Congratulations to all the provincial winners!
One Response
I deplore the fact that Itistsitsa lost, but I assume that they should be grateful that they could represent Western Province at these finals at the expense of Herzlia. Mondale’s representation indicates that schools soccer in the Western Cape is probably on the up. However, to fall at the 1st hurdle was not good. It should lead to an in-depth analysis of the preparation for these finals, areas where they could improve, especially the mental side of players.