Durban to host major junior showpiece
On 31 July 2014 the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu Township will host the enounter.
It has been a long road for most, but for the final 20 players to represent the KwaZulu-Natal Academy XI in this prestigious International Tournament today was the day, they have all been waiting for.
After months of trials, a journey that started in UMkhanyakude SAFA legacy field, Hluhluwe Township, six months ago, the final squad was announced today, giving joy to some and disappointment for others.
The trials were conducted in the 11 districts of the Province under the watchful eye of renowned soccer scout Paulo Cardoso and his technical team, who sought players with the special X-factor they believe, could lead to a professional career for the youngsters.
Led by the well accomplished local coach Scelo Qwabe, the team will compete in Group A of the competition along with Argentine giants Boca Juniors, Italian side AS Roma and Portuguese outfit Benfica, giving these youngsters a taste of what it is like to play against some of the top junior teams in the world.
Paulo Cardoso, Technical Director of the KwaZulu Natal Academy XI said the Technical Team spent months with the players and he is confident that they are ready to take on their international counterparts.
“South African Football Provincial Championships that were held in Bloemfontein helped us to assess and prepare the players for this tournament. We just came from a week’s training camp, that is where players displayed that they deserve to be in the final team,” said Cardoso.
EThekwini Mayor, Councilor James Nxumalo congratulated the players that made the cut for the final team that will carry the pride and hopes of the City and the Province during this inaugural football extravaganza.
“What we are witnessing today is in line with the Municipality’s plans of creating an enabling environment by providing opportunities for sport development and recreation, to improve the quality of life for all citizens of eThekwini with a bias towards the previously disadvantaged,” said Nxumalo.
Zinhle Buthelezi, Acting Head for the Department of Sport and Recreation said this is where the Provinces rough diamonds will be polished
“Over the past 20 years sport in our province has undergone major transformation to ensure that it is accessible to all whether in the urban or rural areas. This one of many strategies of the Province of ensuring that we don’t lose our talent The KwaZulu-Natal Academy XI will play their opener against Roma on July 31, before tackling Boca juniors on August 2.
Their final match will be against Benfica on August 4, when they will hope to finish in the top two in the pool and advance to the semifinals.
The other four sides in the competition in Group B are a South African Under-19 side, English giants Everton, Santos from Brazil and Dutch club Feyenoord.
Group games will be played at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu and Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont respectively. Semi-final games, will head for King Zwelithini in Umlazi Township, with the final scheduled for Moses Mabhida Stadium.
All matches of the eLan Durban under 19 Football Tournament from 31st July to 9th August will be broadcast live on SuperSport 9 and SuperSport Select within South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. SuperSport will carry out a full outside broadcast production and will supply a live feed to international broadcasters via satellite.
Team arrivals:
Saturday -26th July 1 Santos FC, Brazil.
KZN Academy XI team.
Sunday - 27 July 14
Feyenoord, Rotterdam.
SA U/19 National Team
Tuesday – 29 July 2014.
Everton FC
AS Roma FC
Boca Juniors FC.
Wednesday – 30 July 2014.
Benfica FC
(File photo:Gallo Images)