Edendale Technical School from Pietermaritzburg emerged as champions of the Siyabonga Nomvethe Schools Cup in the boys’ under-19 football category.

They defeated Mningi High School 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the final at Hoy Park on Saturday, 12 October 2024.

The tournament, a joint initiative of the Siyabonga Nomvethe Foundation, the KZN Department of Education, and the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture (DSAC), aims to nurture young talent and give back to the KwaZulu-Natal community.

Nomvethe, a former Bafana Bafana striker who played for Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and AmaZulu, is passionate about discovering and supporting emerging sports stars.

As champions, Edendale received a R20,000 prize, gold medals, and new soccer kit. Mningi, the runners-up, received silver medals and soccer kit.

Simangaliso Mbuyazi from Mningi High School was named player of the tournament, while Edendale’s Luyanda Zulu was recognized as the youngest player. Mbuyazi also won the top goal scorer award.

In the under-13 football category, Albert Falls Primary School secured victory, winning R10,000, gold medals, and a second kit. Inkunzi Primary School finished as runners-up, receiving silver medals and soccer kit.

Lethuxolo Majozi of Inkunzi Primary School was named player of the tournament, while Sibanisethu Mweli from Albert Falls Primary School was recognized as the youngest player. Majozi also claimed the top goal scorer award.

In the under-13 netball category, KwaMbonambi Primary School defeated Nkabini Primary School to win the championship. KwaMbonambi received R10,000, gold medals, and netball kit, while Nkabini received silver medals and netball kit.

Naledi Mhlongo of Ekuthuleni Primary School was named player of the tournament in netball, with Okuhle Seyame being recognized as the youngest player. Alwande Sibiya from KwaMbonambi Primary School won the top goal scorer award.

The Siyabonga Nomvethe Schools Cup was broadcast live on SuperSport channel 216.

Two-time PSL Golden Boot winner, Nomvethe, the driving force behind the tournament, expressed his satisfaction with the event’s success, stating his belief that future stars will emerge from these competitions. “I know for sure another Nomvethe will come from this tournament. I can attest that the talent is big here,” said Nomvethe when he was addressing the schools during the award ceremony.  

“I played in Italy, Sweden, and Denmark. You can do the same and you have what it takes to follow my footsteps.” 

He encouraged corporate sponsors to support the tournament’s growth and expansion., saying: “I would like to see sponsors come on board to back us up because we have started growing in KZN because we want to go nationwide. 

“But before I end, I want to thank my family for working together – my two children, my wife and my sisters as well as family friends who came to support this tournament.  

“Working together made successful.”   

Pics: Man of Action/ Mzamo Shabhiri Ngcobo