Goalkeeper helps school win Danone Nations Cup Provincial Final

Manzile Eltomo, goalkeeper for Danyeni Primary School’s under-12 soccer team was the toast of Merry Pebbles Stream –an informal settlement near Piet Retief in Mpumalanga last weekend.

It was his spectacular penalty save in one of the pool matches at the Mpumalanga provincial finals of the Danone Nations Cup that kept his side in the competition, and allowed them to go on to win the Mpumalanga title and take one step closer to an incredible dream – representing South Africa at the Danone Nations Cup world finals in London in September.

Ernest Mabunda is the principal of the school, and also the team’s coach. He puts his side’s success in the competition in perspective when he explains that most of the children come from a very poor background. “Most of the families depend on social grants for survival,” he said. “It’s hard for them to get basic things that most of us take for granted. Often they come barefooted to school all year round, with no uniforms.”

So, winning the provincial finals has been a tremendous boost for the school. “We are all

thrilled and the morale is very high at the moment,” Mabunda said. “The parents are so excited for the children and the school and will be coming to support the kids building up to the National Finals.’

The national finals will be in Johannesburg in August “Most of the players have never been to Johannesburg. They know it as the centre of soccer,” Mabunda says. “It will be an educational experience for them.”

Danyeni Primary has been competing in the competition since 2000, and this is the first time they have advanced to the national finals. “It’s a huge achievement for the school,” Mabunda said, “and we have the full support of the community.”

Mamunda says he can see how winning the provincial title has boosted the confidence levels of the players. “We have increased the time we spend in practice. We want to make sure that we are one step ahead of the other teams. The boys are disciplined and are giving 100% at all times. I can see how committed they are when it comes to practise sessions.”

Mpumalanga Provincial Finals - Embalenhle Stadium, Saturday 18 May

Imizamoyethu Primary 1 Dumelani Primary 0

Zandile Combined School Danyeni Primary 0 (Danyeni won 3-0 on penalties).

Zandile Combined School 0 Imizamoyethu Primary 1

Dumelani Primary 1 Danyeni Primary 3

Danyeni Primary 2 Imizamoyethu Primary 0

Dumelani Primary 0 Zandile Combined Shcool 1

Final – Danyeni Primary 0 Imizamoyethu Primary 0 (Danyeni Primary won 2-0 on penalties).

Health, nutrition and pleasure are at the heart of everything Danone does. Every day they work to promote the benefits of a balanced and varied diet. Encouraging physical activities is a part of this ambition: bring every day health by nutrition to the greatest number of people.

Since 2000, Danone has invested in sport, which promotes strong values, and is an essential element in the balance and upbringing of children, through the worldwide event: the Danone Nations Cup.