The SAFA U19 Championships is underway at Clive Solomon Stadium in Heidedal, Bloemfontein.

The SAFA U19 Championships is underway at Clive Solomon Stadium in Heidedal, Bloemfontein.

Twelve (12) teams are taking part in the tournament – nine provincial teams and three PSL clubs academies namely Bloemfontein Celtic, Supersport United and Ajax Cape Town.

“This Under 19 Men’s tournament could not have come at a better time as it will give coach Shakes Mashaba an opportunity to identify talent for his U20 side which will soon take part in the CAF Men’s U20 qualifiers,” said SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan.

“No country can build a strong national team without pouring massive resources into the junior structures. This is our vision and we are going to pursue it vigorously. That is the only way we can have teams performing constantly well on the international arena.”

In the earlier matches, a brace on either side of the half by Marcel Luck saw Supersport United defeat Limpopo 2-0 while Western Cape won the battle of the Cape with a 3-0 win over the Eastern Cape.

Grand Parade Investments and their subsidiary Burger King fund the tournament.

Only players born on or after 1 January 1996 qualify to participate in the tournament.