Gauteng Under 19 Schools - Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup Provincial Finals

It's back to action for the Gauteng schools this week as the 14 district winners in the under-19 Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup do battle to determine who will go through to the Gauteng provincial finals of the competition.

The 14 teams will be in action on Tuesday and Wednesday August 7 and 8, with the top eight going through to the provincial finals on August 25 at the Nike Football Centre in Soweto.

Defending Gauteng champions, Johannesburg Secondary School, are already out of the title race, so all eyes will be on last year's second-placed team, Rosina Sedibane-Modiba High School and on 2010 national champions, Jet Nteo Secondary School.

Rosina Sedibane-Modiba High School is situated in the Tshwane South Region. It houses SuperSport United’s development programme players, and the school has won provincial and national titles at various age groups in schools football over the years.

Rosina lost 3-1 Johannesburg Secondary School in last year’s Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup provincial final and ended up in 5the spot at the National Finals - the provincial champions and runners-up go through to the national finals of the competition.

The school is determined to do better this time around. “It’s always an inspiring experience to play in the Sanlam Kay Motsepe School Cup, mainly because of the high competitive standard of football displayed at this tournament ” says team manager, Sanjay Baktawa. “The players always come out mentally stronger and more mature from the tournament.”

George Khoza Secondary School from Dobsonville and Strauss Secondary School from Ekangala Township, Bronkhorstspruit are the new sides in the district finals this hear.

Strauss coach, Johnson Tshabangu, is hoping his boys will do well. “To be part of a tournament of this calibre is very exciting. We never thought we would get this far in our first appearance. Schools like Jet Nteo Secondary and Rosina have a good reputation and they always do well in these tournament but we will take them on,” he said. “I might not have academy players in my team but I do have some exceptionally talented players. Tshabangu singled out his captain, Vusi Mahlangu, Mpho Makamise (striker) and Manqoba Khanye (striker) as pillars of his team.”

The Gauteng provincial champions will win R100 000 in legacy projects for their school.