31 October 2022 – South Africa completed the double at the CAF African Schools Championship in Malawi after winning both the boys and girls titles in Malawi on Monday.
The double triumph in this COSAFA Qualifier also ensured qualification to the continental finals.
Clapham High School beat Malawi side Salima Secondary School in the boys’ competition while Edendale Technical High School triumphed in the girls’ competition after amassing 12 points in the round-robin competition to finish at the summit.
SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan said Clapham High School and Edendale Technical High School had blazed an impressive trail to make the nation proud.
“This is such a remarkable and unprecedented achievement and the South African Football Association would like to congratulate the two teams,” Dr Jordaan said.
SAFA technical director Walter Steenbok described the CAF African Schools Championship as a great initiative.
“A great initiative by CAF and the Motsepe Foundation. Such programmes support the development of school football and integrate junior international competition for our players,” he said.
“Edendale Technical and Clapham High emerged victorious by displaying consistent performances within our South African football culture. By adapting to the tournament format of 8v8 having qualified through 9v9, both teams displayed technical proficiency and tactical discipline in outsmarting their opponents.
“In preparation for the African Schools Championships in March, 2023 in Morocco, we need to prepare better by:
- Increasing the number of preparatory matches
- Organise systematic camps
- Beef up the technical and support staff
“This victory marks a significant development pathway for both set of players as most of them are born 2008-2009, as the fit into the new Under-17 cycle leading to the AFCON and World Cups.” Kgaogelo Monanyane won the boys’ Player of the Tournament prize while Kamogelo Phokela walked away with the Golden Glove for best goalkeeper.
Nobahle Mdelwa finished top of the chart with seven goals
Besides qualifying for the continental finals, the winners in each category also collect a first prize of $100,000, while the second-placed teams receive $75,000.