In what was an intense clash of the titan’s kind of match day, the results have spoken for themselves. Resilient side Arsenal FC will take on the nations SA U19 squad in the final match of the tournament at King Zwelithini Stadium on 6 August 2016. The teams have managed to advance in the Durban Under 19 International Football Tournament after both won their semi-final matches at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Thursday, 4 August 2016.

The English Side Arsenal eliminated TP Mazembe from Congo DRC, while SA U19 edged past Sporting Lisbon.

The two teams will now meet at Saturday’s championship decider, which is scheduled to kick-off at 14:45.

Ahead of that, losing semi-finalists TP Mazembe and Sporting Lisbon will battle it out for the bronze medal at the same venue at 12h30.

Arsenal won their place in the final after a tense 90-minute match that ended with a 3-0 result. It was an epic battle between giants who tried their best in the match to find the back of the net and the 2015 victors that got a first half lead when their jersey number 10 Malen, scored a tremendous goal in the 24th minute. Team mate Nkhetiah followed the lead up with a magnificent 2nd goal and the clincher came in what was an unexpected penalty kick goal when Mavididi scored in the 83rd minute.

The second clash of the day took shape when the National SA Under 19 side took to the ground against opponents Portugal’s Sporting Lisbon.

This was perhaps the toughest game of the tournament with both teams defending their right to advance to the finals with all they had. Numerous chances at goal scoring occurred and finally in the 62nd minute the first goal of the match hit the back of the net when SA Under 19 forward Kodisang pulled a stunning fast one on his opponents back-line.

Mayo assisted the National team when he scored the second goal of the match and while the crowd was recovering, to cement the team’s road to victory and the Final on Saturday was Kodisang with his second goal that ended the match with at a 3-0 win for South Africa.

Speaking from the Moses Mabhida stadium, Bafana Bafana Head Coach Shakes Mashaba said “Congratulations to the Boys who’ve made it to the final of the tournament. The match was not what we expected as we started at a very low key, we should’ve scored in the first half, however we’re closing the gap in the world of football. I think that the only constant thing is change and initiatives such as the Durban U19tournament speak to that. I am greatly looking forward to the final”

SA U19 defeated Sporting Lisbon in the second semi-final with an assured display that will give them plenty of confidence going into the tournament decider.


Fixtures – 06 August 2016 – Moses King Zwelithini Stadium

3rd and 4th Place Play-Offs
12h30 Sporting Lisbon vs. TP Mazembe

Final
14h45 Arsenal vs. National U19