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Benny’s Sports Academy and Development returned to South Africa after a successful 2016 Danone Nations Cup World Final where they finished in 14^thplace overall with 32 countries competing.  South Africa’s best finish since 2009 where they won the tournament.
Benny’s managed to finish second in their Group after beating South Korea 1 -0, Italy, the first all girls team to compete in the finals, 3 – 0 but losing to Indonesia 1 – 0.

The second round was tough with the team facing Brazil in their first top 16 game.  After losing 1-0 they were fighting for position 9 – 16.  Here they then faced a strong Tunisian team that were far bigger and stronger than our Limpopo boys.  After an early goal the South Africans fought back hard but failed to get the ball past a very agile goalkeeper leaving the boys fighting for position 13 – 16. 

The penultimate match of the tournament saw the South Africans running onto the field next to Uruguay, arguably the tallest boys in the 2016 world finals.  They refused to let the height of their opponents intimidate them and they outplayed them completely winning 2-1 and progressing to meet Russia in their final match for 13-14^th position.  This game was played at the Stade de France.

After conceding an early goal South Africa fought hard and pulled one back to finish level 1 each.  However the more composed European counterparts proved better in the penalty shootout and won it 3 – 1.

On their return to South Africa, Coach Mbishi Mokwena said that undoubtedly the game against Brazil was their toughest.  “The world finals were also a learning experience and the way the Brazilians used the field was an eye opener and very interesting to watch.  We were lucky to lose by such a narrow margin and our goalkeeper, Hulisani Mashau, had a cracker of a game,” he said.  “We went back to the drawing board after that game and used Brazil’s tactic against Uruguay and it worked in our favour.”

It was the game against Italy that took the youngsters by surprise.  “It was the first all girls team that has ever played at the world finals,” said Mbishi.  “We had been warned that the girls were going to be taller and stronger than us, which was the case, and they were academy girls from the famous Italian Club, AS Roma, so we were expecting a tougher challenge which did not turn out to be the case.  However, I have to admit there were a couple of girls that were exceptionally skilled on the ball.  They showed us a few amazing shibobo’s that left our boys standing,” said the coach.

For youngster Chrisjones Davhana, being in France was an enlightening experience.  “Paris is such an exciting city.  Full of life and interesting sights to see.  I loved it so much I would like to go and live there one day. 

“The food was interesting,” said Davhana.  “I think the French eat too many vegetables and I missed my traditional pap.  But they have the best fish!”

Germany was the ultimate winner beating Japan 3 – 1 on penalties at the legendary Stade de France in Paris, with Spain beating Brazil 2 – 1 to finish the 3^rd and 4^thplaces respectively.

Both the German and Japanese teams were selected through a trial process meaning their teams comprised the top under-12 players in their respective countries.  The same process was used to finalise many of the other teams as well.  A far cry from the South African boys who play school soccer on a dusty soccer field in the rural Limpopo area, Vhembe.  To have finished in 14^th position was a great feat. 

“When we showed other teams and the international media the video of our area, school and soccer field they had new respect for us and we always had other teams coming to watch our games and cheering for us,” said Mbishi.

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A young boy’s dream came true just before going into theatre for a surgery today.

Little Aidan (7), became the youngest “member” of Team Red. Aidan, dressed in his red ER24 superhero flight suit, took his first official ride in an ambulance.

With the help of the sirens blaring and the lights flashing, Aidan, in the company of his ER24 “colleagues” and family, bravely reported for duty at the Mediclinic Morningside.

Aidan, who lives in Bryanston, was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called Costello Syndrome when he was 18 months old. The syndrome is so rare that he is only the second diagnosis in South Africa. He is one of only a few hundred people worldwide who has been diagnosed. 

Costello Syndrome affects various parts of the body. In Aidan’s case, he has to undergo abdominal scans every three months to screen for cancerous tumours. He also has to undergo heart scans as he has a thickened left ventricle wall.

In addition, Aidan has Culcaneo Vulgus Feet as well as a number of other challenges as a result of the syndrome.

Aidan recently developed growths under his lower eyelids. Today’s surgery was to remove these growths as well as adenoids as a result of them affecting him.

Aidan has been for numerous operations. To lighten his mood in the run up to today’s operation, Aidan’s mum, Melissa Botha, requested a visit from any emergency service. 

“Aidan loves emergency services… firefighters, police officers, paramedics, ambulances… he gets so excited. With the run up to this operation and Aidan having so many bad experiences, I thought about having a fireman, police officer or paramedic visit him to take the edge off. I put a message on Facebook stating that Aidan was not dealing well with the idea of another hospital visit. I requested a visit from any emergency service. ER24 contacted me wanting to assist. ER24 blew my request out of the water,” she said.

ER24 paramedics visited Aidan yesterday with a goodie bag and a flight suit.

He put the flight suit on immediately and did not take it off until it was time for his bath last night. “The first thing he did this morning was put the flight suit on again,” said Botha.

That was not all. Today, ER24 Joburg North paramedics, including branch manager Saul Behrmann, picked Aidan up and took him to hospital.

“There were a number of vehicles (response vehicles, an ambulance and rescue vehicle) at our door. ER24 made such an impact. Aidan got to ride to hospital in the ambulance. He was the paramedic and I had to play the patient. I cannot thank ER24 enough. Aidan was so excited and had a blast before his operation. The paramedics literally changed his whole experience with hospitals,” said Botha.

Aidan has become a household name in many homes with various people wanting to help.

As a single mum trying to do the best for her child, Botha has had to find ways of helping Aidan cope with the challenges he faces. She has also had to find ways of raising funds to cope with monthly expenses.

 Challenges

“As a result of the Culcaneo Vulgus Feet, Aidan was walking almost with the insides of his ankles. We tried various non-invasive ways to treat the condition. However, last year he had to undergo an operation. It was one of the most difficult operations we went through. He was in Plaster of Paris for more than six weeks and if you know Aidan, you will know that he is busy all the time. His mobility is his expression of communication. I had to keep him busy. He was a bit depressed that he could not move around. As a single mum it is a challenge. Aidan also gets uncomfortable with food and clothes and even getting him ready for school is a challenge. The biggest thing that works fort him is imagination. I cannot be an adult all the time. I have to be a child with him… to entertain him, get him to school and be on schedule. 

“Finance is another challenge. Aidan has to go for occupational therapy and needs medication and specialised equipment. There are costs that are not covered by medical aid. The average cost of raising Aidan is about R35 000 a month,” said Botha.  

To raise funds, Botha created a website called Raising Aidan. 

She raises funds by selling cupcakes catering for everyone’s taste including those who are diabetic or require gluten free.

You can help raise Aidan by buying these cupcakes. To find out more about how you can help Aidan, visitwww.raisingaidan.co.za or visit the Raising Aidan Facebook page.

 taungdailynews@gmail.com

BY REGINALD KANYANE

ECONOMIC Freedom Fighters (EFF ) councillor, Lucy Matsibi passed away this week.

Moses Kotane Local Municipality speaker, Sipho Vaya sent his heartfelt condolences to Matsibi’s friends and love ones.

“We want to send our deepest condolences to Matsibi’s family and friends. 

“The late Matsibi was sworn in as the Proportional Representative of EFF after the Local Government elections held in August 3 this year,” he said.

Matsibi will be laid to rest on Saturday next week at Sefikile village.

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