Johannesburg-Bidvest Wits beat Kaizer Chiefs 3-0 to win the SAFA U17 National Championships title at the Nike Football Training Centre. 

Goals from Thato Tsibolane, Peter Frosler and second half substitute Khuzulwandile Vilakazi saw the Charles Yohane-coached Bidvest Wits walk away with the title they richly deserved after playing the most enterprising soccer during the tournament.

 

“I am excited about the title and overall, I think we played better soccer and we were very consistent. I have really enjoyed this tournament and would like to take this opportunity to thank SAFA and Grand Parade Investment for providing our youngsters with such an opportunity,” said Yohane.

 

“Such tournaments are good for the country as they provide a solid foundation for future great teams.”

 

His vanquished Chiefs counterpart, Arthur Zwane said while he was disappointed by the outcome, his charges had gained invaluable experience.

 

“We can only get better by exposing ourselves to such competitions. I would like to take my hat off to SAFA and the sponsors (GPI through their subsidiary company Burger King) for investing in our future stars.

 

SAFA junior coach and National Selectors Coordinator, Shakes Mashaba said he was thrilled with the standard of football exhibited by provincial sides.

 

“We saw exciting soccer throughout the week. I would however, want to advice provincial coaches to interact more with some of these established academies to learn a thing or two in order to be at par.”

 

Individual Awards:

 

• Referee of the Tournament:                                Moreki Lekwape
 

• Top goal scorer:                                                          Shungu Dutiro, 5 goals (Bidvest Wits)
 

• Goalkeeper of the Tournament:                        Sanele Tshabalala           (Bidvest Wits)
 

• Coach of the Tournament:                                    Doctor Mkhonza             (KZN)
 

• Player of the Tournament:                                    Liam Jordan                      (Bidvest Wits)
 

                                                   

Here is the provisional U17 National Team selected from the tournament:

 

GOALKEEPERS

Kubheka Walter

Mamelodi Sundowns

Sanele Tshabalala

Bidvest Wits

Skei Sizwe

Kaizer Chiefs

Shishi Mfundo

Kwazulu Natal

Abrahams Shaheen

Western Cape

Right backs

Shima Lebohang

Mamelodi  Sundowns

Mbatha Victor

Budvest Wits

Canada Jose

Bidvest Wits

LEFT BACKS

Mdlalose Luyanda

Kaizer Chiefs

Notha Ncobo

Mamelodi Sundowns

Dlalisa Goodwill

Free State

Central defenders

Mbele Christopher

Mamelodi Sundowns

Shoba Itumeleng

Bidvest Wits

Mukumela Thendo

Limpopo

Thabang Lebese

Kaizer Chiefs

Nxumalo Phillip

Gauteng

Defensive midfielders

Mshifana Lethabo

Mamelodi Sundowns

Ladeira Nicholas

Bidvest Wits

Kodisang Kobamelo

North West

Baloyi Charles

North West

Mthuthuko Shabalala

Kwazulu Natal

Kyriacos Nicolas Rodrigues

Mamelodi Sundowns

 

 

Attacking midfielders

Jordan Jonathan

Bidvest Wits

Frosler Peter

Bidvest Wits

Mfodolo  Buhle

Mamelodi Sundowns

Buthelezi  Sibonelo

Kwazulu Natal

Andile Nkosi

Bidvest Wits

LEFT MIDFIELDERS

Noge Felix

Free State

Modise Malebogo

Mamelodi Sundowns

Matlawe B ennedict

North West

Nala Ngcebo

Kwazulu Natal

 

 

RIGHT MIDFIELDER

Mashego Katlego

Kaizer Chiefs

Cele Thulani

Mamelodi Sundowns

Mantjie Junior

Free State

Bunting Antonio

Gauteng

STRIKERS

Mkhundlu Aviyile

Mamelodi Sundowns

Dutiro Shungu

Bidvest Wits

Mkha tshana Luvuyo

Bidvest Wits

Morris Romario

Kwazulu Natal

Mayo Erick

Eastern Cape

-TDN
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