RATSPORT SOCCER

SAFA Metropolitan League National Championships

Tournament Review - The 2008 SAFA Metropolitan Under-19 National League Championship, held in Polokwane from 13-19 April proved to be a resounding success on a number of fronts and will leave a lasting impression on all who attended the event.
Rat Race Media played a vital role in this tournament, filming all the action.
Metropolitan’s commitment to social development through football continues to provide a platform for discovering young players from all parts of the country that widens the pool of talent for SAFA to nurture into national and international footballers.
The qualifying rounds of this tournament involved a comprehensive trawling of talent from even the remotest areas of South Africa.
Metropolitan Group Executive, Nkosinathi Chonco, said after the final, “From what we have seen all week, and particularly today, shows that there are bags of football talent everywhere in South Africa and this was borne out by the fact that Mpumalanga made the semi-finals and North West, playing the provinces first ever final in any sport, coming agonisingly close to lifting the Cup.
“It is a great source of satisfaction to Metropolitan to witness the success of the tournament from an organisational point of view, and for this we are grateful for the co-operation of the Limpopo Provincial Government, as well as in a football and crowd participation sense.”
In accordance with Metropolitan’s community empowerment policy, local suppliers were used, including caterers and security services, and the Provincial Government arranged 10 buses to transport supporters from the surrounding area to the stadium for the final. In addition, the life-skills programme that forms part of all Metropolitan-sponsored events, which involved a visit by the teams to the Bula’ Mahlo Care Centre, proved highly educational for the players, who were exposed to some of the issues that affect local communities around the country.
SAFA President Molefi Oliphant also expressed his appreciation for Metropolitan’s role in securing the future of South African football.
“Development is obviously extremely important for any national football association, and to create tournaments that facilitate this, one needs partners. Metropolitan have shown their commitment to this through the competitions they sponsor. This tournament, in particular, is crucial because the players here in Polokwane this week are the best from each province, having come through local elimination rounds to get here with the cream of their talent, and the entire length and breadth of the country has been covered. This is of untold value to SAFA as regards the discovery of future stars. Hopefully, a number of these guys can make it into the national Under-20 squad and then go on to achieve further honours.”
Steve Komphela, the national Under-23 coach, who chaired the selection panel for the Metropolitan All-Star squad, added, “The tournament improved daily and by the time we got to the knock-out stage the quality was pretty high and we have selected a number of players for whom we have high hopes of making good progress in our national structures.”
All in all, the trip to Polokwane has been an unqualified success and has whetted the appetites of the local community in anticipation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

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19/04/2008 - The 2008 SAFA Metropolitan Under-19 National League Championship came to a thrilling conclusion on Saturday when Gauteng produced their second Houdini act in as many days to defeat a gallant North West side, 4-3 in the final at the Seshego Stadium in Polokwane. Kwazulu Natal took third place, following a resounding 9-2 thrashing of Mpumalanga.
Having clinched victory over KZN from the jaws of defeat in a nail-biting sudden-death penalty shoot-out on Friday to reach the final, Gauteng found themselves a goal down barely nine minutes into the match after North West captain, Mpho Mvelase scored from a direct free kick.
Despite holding territorial advantage, Gauteng fell further behind two minutes into the second period when Itumeleng Sanabo took advantage of poor communication in the Gauteng defence to slot to double North West’s lead.
The complexion of the match changed just past the hour mark when Thokozani Sekotlong netted twice in as many minutes to level the scores. However, North West bounced back to restore their lead in the 72nd minute when Julius saaibok’s free kick rebounded off the crossbar and Darius McCarthy, younger brother of Kaizer Chiefs defender, Fabian McCarthy, stroked the ball into a gaping goal.
Gauteng’s resilience once again came to the fore, though, and Leroy Fisher levelled the scores at 3-3 in the 79th minute, lashing the ball home from close range as North West began to tire.
Then, a minute into stoppage time, with the spectre of penalties looming, Thabo Rakhala produced a composed finish to break North West hearts and send the rather pro-Gauteng crowd into rapturous elation. Moments later, the final whistle blew to trigger wild celebrations on the field and in the stands.
An ecstatic Gauteng coach, Jerobean Koert said afterwards, “I always believed we could do it. I told the boys at half-time that this is it, it’s time to come to the party, and even when we went two down, I thought we could still win. I know my team and they showed everyone what they are made of. I’m so proud of them. Credit to North West, though, they pushed us right until the end.”
Metropolitan Group Executive, Nkosinathi Chonco added, “Congratulations to Gauteng on a deserved victory. Metropolitan is delighted with the success of this tournament and it looks as though we have unearthed some outstanding talent that will hopefully go on to higher representative honours, which is exactly why we have undertaken to sponsor development tournaments such as this.”  
Earlier in the day, KwaZulu Natal regained some lost pride from losing in the semi-finals to record an emphatic 9-2 win over Mpumalanga.
Striker Bongane Tshabalala netted four times, while Khumbulani Mdluli- who was declared Player-of-the-Tournament - weighed in with a hat-trick and Zenzele Zungu added a brace of his own. Mpumalanga earned some consolation through goals by Dumisane Sinelane and Mxolisi Maatijie.
At the prize-giving ceremony afterwards, the following awards were made:
Goalkeeper-of-the-Tournament – Pule Baoefa (North West)
Coach-of-the-Tournament – Jerobean Koert (Gauteng)
Player-of-the-Tournament – Khumbulani Mdluli – (KwaZulu Natal)
Top Scorer – Nkosinathi Mtshali (14 goals)
Ndluli said of his achievement: “It’s a huge honour to win this award, although I am still very disappointed that we didn’t win the Cup. That would have been great for the team, but from a personal point of view, I am happy to have been recognised.”
A Metropolitan All-Star Squad , which will attend coaching camps, was selected by a panel chaired by National Under-23 coach Steve Komphela .
Metropolitan All-Star Squad:
Goalkeepers
Wesley Strydom (Gauteng), Ayanda Dlamini (KZN) Pule Baoefa (N. West)
Defenders
Mpumelelo Mbohambi (KZN), Bhekisizwe Nkosi (Gauteng), Leago Serepong (Gauteng), Ayanda Klaas (E.Cape), Thabang Ramaoka (Gauteng), Siyabonga Kunene (KZN), Junior Diale (N. West),  Ettiene Saptoe (E. Cape), Themba Nonthela (N. West)
Midfileders
Tiego Masango (Gauteng), Sizwe Ngwenya (Mpumalanga), Sandile Mabele (N. West), Mpho Mvelase (N. West), Khumbulani Mdluli (KZN), Khaya Langa (KZN), Wandisile Letlabika (E. Cape), Sibusiso Methula (E. Cape), Darius McCarthy (N. West), Thapelo Ndlovu (N. Cape), Thabo Rakhele (Gauteng)
Forwards
Leroy Fisher (Gauteng), Thokozani  Sekotlong (Gauteng), Zenzele Zungu (KZN), Manqoba Lubisi (Mpumalanga), Bongane Tshabalala (KZN), Pule Leshaba (N. West)

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15/04/2008 - Rat Race Media shared in the opening ceremony of the SAFA/Metropolitan Under-19 National Championship in
Polokwane on the 14th of April.There was a tangible sense of excitement at the Seshego Stadium in Polokwane on
Monday afternoon when the Premier of Limpopo Province, Mr. Sello Moloto, declared the 2008 SAFA Metropolitan Under-19
National Championships open as fireworks blazed into the sky amid a
tumultuous chorus of vuvuzelas from the packed main stand.

The title sponsors, Metropolitan, delivered a memorable opening ceremony to what is expected to
be a keenly contested and thoroughly entertaining five-day festival of football for the local supporters to savour.
Each squad of 18 players plus technical staff, representing all nine provinces in South Africa, paraded around the main field to the melodic tunes of a marching band, accompanied by a steel-drum ensemble and complemented by a group of dancing young girls, before finally assembling before the dignitaries seated adjacent the sparkling SAFA Metropolitan Under-19 National Championship trophy.

In his commencement address Mr. Moloto said, “It is our pleasure and privilege to welcome you to the capital of Limpopo, Polokwane, where for the next five days we will be watching these young players that have been given the opportunity of a lifetime, through the efforts of both Metropolitan and SAFA, to gather together in a forum for national coaches to scout and assess football talent from across the country.

“To Metropolitan, on behalf of the Provincial Government of Limpopo and the people of Limpopo as a whole, we would like to thank you for your initiative and foresight in sponsoring this campaign, which affords opportunities to those faraway regions of South Africa who might otherwise not have been noticed. Combined with your life-skills programmes, your contribution goes a long way towards developing the youth of this country into well-balanced adults.”
Metropolitan’s Group Manager of Corporate Affairs, Mandla Mvelase explained the company’s aims in cultivating community projects as a means of giving back to the people who have supported them over the years.

“Metropolitan is very proud to present to you the final stage of a competition that has covered the length and breadth of South Africa since August last year in the quest to unearth the talented footballers of the future. We invest in development not only to try to alleviate poverty, but also to showcase latent potential that can be nurtured and realized. You are the best 18 players in your provinces and you have every chance of representing South Africa at the Olympic Games in 2012, and joining me in Brazil for the 2014 World Cup.
“To the Limpopo Premier, we are proud to share this stage with you. Thanks also to SAFA for sending a big delegation to scout for talent here this week, and thanks finally to my Metropolitan colleagues for your efforts in organizing and staging this occasion.”

SAFA National Executive Committee member, Kirsten Nemathenani, emphasized the importance of the event to those taking part, saying, “Today is a very special day in football. Thanks to our partners Metropolitan and the Limpopo Municipality, we are able to provide a stage for you to show off your talent.”
The formalities were followed by the Group A clash between Limpopo and Gauteng. Notwithstanding the vociferous support from the local crowd, the hosts were beaten 4-0 by a Gauteng outfit in uncompromising mood. Thokozani Sekotlong gave them a 1-0 half-time lead from the penalty spot, before adding another in the second period to go with goals from MacDonald Somo and Leroy Fisher, as Limpopo battled bravely to stem the tide.

Earlier in the day, Mpumalanga opened their Group A campaign by thumping Free State in a five-goal thriller. Mandla Zwane hit a brace for Mpumalanga to put them 2-0 up before Free State skipper Tefo Xowama pulled one back with a penalty. Nkosinathi Mtshali netted Mpumalanga’s third and Xowama’s second of the game gave the score a semblance of respectability near the end.
Day 2 sees four more group matches with Limpopo taking on Eastern Cape (Group A) and Gauteng facing Free State (Group A) in the morning, followed by North West Vs Northern Cape (Group B) and Kwazulu Natal vs. Western Cape (Group B) at lunchtime. In the afternoon, Eastern Cape meet Free State (Group A) and Gauteng play Mpumalanga.    

All the action takes place at the Seshego Stadium, where the teams, divided into two groups, will play a round-robin phase from
which the top two sides from each group progress to the semi-finals, with the winners of those contesting the final.

It has been a long road to Polokwane, beginning back in August 2007 - having undergone a name change from the
Metropolitan Under-19 League to the Metropolitan LFA League - when 314 districts from 52 regions registered for the League.
In Phase One the winners of the respective Metropolitan LFA leagues qualified for the Third Division League for the first time ever.
Phase Two saw SAFA coaches select the best Under-19 squad from each region to compete in Phase Three,
the Inter-Regional Play-offs. Finally, at the play-offs, the finest players on show were selected to represent their provinces at
Phase Four, the SAFA Metropolitan League National Championship.

Metropolitan’s continued commitment to youth and community development is once again demonstrated by the hosting of this
tournament in Polokwane, which will have spin-offs and leave a legacy in the area.

Metropolitan will be conducting a series of life-skills programme for players. This initiative, driven by Metropolitan Corporate Social Investment unit, is aimed at overcoming some of the very real challenges that face many young South Africans, such as HIV and AIDS, substance abuse, lack of education and financial responsibility, poverty and unemployment.

This tournament is fitting with Metropolitan’s commitment to youth development, as it is a pillar alongside COSAFA Under-20 Championship and the Metropolitan Premier Cup, which continues to produce great talent that goes into the Premier league.

Nkosinathi Chonco, group executive at title sponsors Metropolitan said: “We are humbled by the manner in which the
communities have embraced and supported this year’s run up to the SAFA Metropolitan League national championships.
We are looking forward to an exciting grand finale in Polokwane where we hope to unearth one or two rough diamonds that,
with a bit of polishing, will do the country proud in the near future. This should be the template for future developmental initiatives at grassroots level across the country, paving the way for sustained progress beyond 2010.”

SAFA CEO Raymond Hack says the graduation of National Under-23 players to Bafana Bafana is a good enough incentive
for players participating in the Metropolitan Under-19 championships.

“Players like Itumeleng Khune, Bryce Moon, Lerato Chabangu and Lance Davids are a source of inspiration,” said Hack,
“They are also a testimony to SAFA’s succession plan as implemented by our coaches, Tebogo Moloi, Serame Letsoaka and Steve Komphela.”

With an uneven number of teams competing, eight provinces, minus the hosts, were drawn into two groups,
with Limpopo Province gaining a ‘seeding’ into Group A along with Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State and Eastern Cape.
Group B consists of North West, Northern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape.

Following the presentation of the championship trophy to the winning captain at the end of the final match,
the ‘Metropolitan All-Stars’ team will be announced. This team is made up of the tournament’s standout performers, as selected by
Steve Komphela and Serame Lesoake, respective coaches of the national Under-23 and Under-20 teams. After this,
Metropolitan will present a series of awards in recognition of outstanding individual performances within a team context,
including Player-of-the-Tournament, Goalkeeper-of-the-Tournament, Coach-of-the-Tournament, and Top Goal scorer.