Mamelodi Sundowns have been crowned the 2015 SAFA U17 Boys National Champs winners after defeating defending champions Bidvest Wits 1-0 at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto on Sunday.
Mamelodi Sundowns have been crowned the 2015 SAFA U17 Boys National Champs winners after defeating defending champions Bidvest Wits 1-0 at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto on Sunday, 12 July.
The match looked to be headed for a draw but Keabetswe Mokwena pounced with just one minute of regulation time left on the clock following a neat move from the young Brazilians.
The goal was enough to hand them the victory and the title.
The goal enabled Mokwena to end with seven goals to his credit and walked away with both the Top goal-scorer of the Tournament and Player of the Tournament Awards.
Daniel Meyer of Wits, was named the Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
This is the second edition of the tournament, which was won by Wits last year at the Nike Football Training Centre in Pimville, Soweto.
That event produced the bulk of the current South African Men’s Under 17 National Team (Amajimbos) that qualified for the U17 FIFA Men’s World Cup, Chile 2015 scheduled for October.
40 players who took part in this year’s National Champs, were selected for a training camp – and they will get a chance to play against Amajimbos on a yet to be determined date to increase the pool of the national team, and also give national coaching staff more players to choose from.
Gauteng finished third in the 2015 edition of the National Champs after beating Limpopo 2-1 in the bronze medal battle on Friday, 10 July at Nike Centre.
Individual Awards:
Keabetswe Mokwena (Sundowns) – Player of the Tournament
Keabetswe Mokwena (Sundowns – 7 goals) – Top Goal Scorer of the Tournament
Daniel Meyer (Bidvest Wits) – Goalkeeper of the Tournament
Charles Yohane (Bidvest Wits) – Coach of the Tournament
Linda Mojafi (North West) – Assistant Referee of the Tournament
Moreki Lekwape (Gauteng) – Referee of the Tournament
Final standings:
1. Winners: Mamelodi Sundowns Gold
2. Runners Up: Bidvest Wits Silver
3. 3rd Place: Gauteng Bronze
4. 4th Place: Limpopo
U17 National Championship 2015 – Stats – Day 4
2015 SAFA U-17 NATIONAL CHAMPS SELECTED SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Daniel Meyer (Bidvest Wits), Idi Giovanni (Bidvest Wits), Bongane Gulube (Mpumalanga)
Defenders: Thuto Hlalele (MP Aces), Duayhne Whitlow (Northern Cape), Thabo Moloisane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Terrance Molokomme (Limpopo), Deon Horn (MP Aces), Tony Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lithemba Mpoli (Western Cape), Thubelihle Magubane (KZN), Lourenzo Smith (Western Cape), Jay-Dee Adams (Western Cape), Mnelisi Mbhele (Mamelodi Sundowns), Hlarara Mogashoa (Limpopo), Lesiane Mokgopedi (Free State), Albert Machete (Limpopo)
Midfielders: Khutso Mafichi (Limpopo), Ntuthuko Tshabalala (KZN), Lindokuhle Sithole (KZN), Simo Mbhele (KZN), Marco Catalino (MP Aces), Alessandro Venditti (MP Aces), Ntokoso Mbatha (Bidvest Wits), Sphesihle Mkhize (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mqhele Nkosi (Gauteng), Vuyani Gajana (Western Cape), Charl Reid (Eastern Cape), Khulekani Masemola (Mpumalanga), Nkomo Makgobola (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lankie Khoza (Mpumalanga), Reabetswe Lebong (Gauteng), Thabang Majoro (Gauteng), Cassius Mabotja (Limpopo)
Strikers: Damien Smith (Mamelodi Sundowns), Keabetswe Mokwena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Romario Morris (KZN), Shungu Dutiro (Bidvest Wits), Taarig George (Western Cape), Jim Mashapu (Limpopo)