September is a month to look forward to for schools participating in the Investec Soccer League. Kicking off with 20 high schools, the league finals saw the final four schools tackle it out at the University of Johannesburg, Soweto Campus, on Saturday 12 September. As each of the four finalists would walk away with handsome prize money, all that was left was to determine the winner. With soccer stars Moeneeb Josephs and Thulani Hlatswayo looking on, the learners were sure to give it their all.
Making it into the final four were Mokgome Secondary school, Lamula Secondary school, Thulani Secondary school and Anchor Comprehensive school – who co-incidentally placed third in last years’ league. With scouts from FC Cape Town, Bidvest Wits FC, SASFA and TUKS FC on the prowl, the boys took to the fields like their lives depended on it. Families and friends cheered from the side lines as they witnessed superb schoolboy football as the young athletes gave it their all to be hailed the Investec Soccer League champions 2015.
The semi-finals saw Anchor Comprehensive school beating Lamula Secondary school by one goal to nothing. The second semi though went into a penalty shootout after both Mokgome Secondary school and Thulani Secondary school drew two all after regulation time. A nail-biting shootout saw Mokgome take it 5 -4.
The final was extremely competitive, seeing Anchor Comprehensive school walking away 2 – 1 winners over Mokgome Secondary school who still take home a much valued R60 000.
Thembiso Kodisang, Investec Soccer League administrator, elaborated on the day’s success,
“Today was yet another amazing day with the standard on the field always raised at the finals. It was exciting to see how hard the teams worked and how far they have come from their first games to today. This makes it possible for their school and fellow peers to have better educational and/or sport facilities through their Investec Soccer League winnings. As mentioned, we are looking forward to hosting the selected players at the camp where various life skills and team building qualities will be instilled.”
Investec head of CSI, Setlogane Manchidi concluded,
“Today was as encouraging and inspirational as the years that have gone before. The boys played their hearts out and did their schools proud both in terms of the determination and talent on the field as well as the sportsmanship off it. I would like to congratulate every school that participated in the league and look forward to spending a few days with each of the teams at the Investec Soccer League camp in October, aimed at building the boys into well-rounded citizens”
Educational prowess
The participating schools are also involved in Investec Corporate Social Investment’s flagship Promaths programme, which provides additional tuition in Maths and Science for pupils in Grades 10 to 12. This creates a platform for developing high-calibre future professionals and leaders who will become active economic participants in society.
