PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Murray High School from Plettenberg Bay were crowned the Western Cape Kay Motsepe U19 Schools Cup champions after beating Cape Winelands representatives Vusisizwe High School 1-0 in the provincial final held in the Overberg region this past Saturday.

Six schools participated in the tournament. They are Qhayiya High (Overberg), Murray High (Eden), Mandlenkosi High (Central Karoo), Vusisizwe High (Cape Winelands), Ravensmead High (Cape Town) and Diazville High (West Coast).

The victory followed Murray High's 5-3 penalty shoot-out win over Indwe Secondary School after a 2-2 draw in the regional final recently held in Mossel Bay. Murray High opened the provincial tournament with a 3-2 victory over West Coast representative Diazville High School.

They then played to a goalless draw against hosts Qhayiya High School before defeating Central Karoo representatives Mandlenkosi High School 1-0. The results saw Murray High finish top of their group and progressing to the final where they secured the Western Cape title.

National finals

Murray High and Vusisizwe High will represent the Western Cape at the Kay Motsepe U19 Schools Cup national finals in Johannesburg on a date still to be confirmed. Murray High's coach, Ntokozo Dlamini, said he was delighted with the achievement and qualification for the national championship.

He said preparations for the showdown were intense and that his team focused on discipline, teamwork, fitness and ensuring that players understood their roles.

"We knew it was going to be a tough competition. There were lots of pressure as the tournament progressed, but the boys showed character and commitment. We are extremely proud of them," Dlamini said.

‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’