The first leg of the Durban Under 19 International Football Tournament trials held on Saturday 11 January 2014 and Sunday 12 January 2014, at SAFA Legacy Field in Hluhluwe, KwaZulu Natal, was a huge success.
Players from across the UMkhanyakude District turned up for the trials which produced six exemplary players who were selected. The players will proceed to a training camp which will be held in Durban in March.
Players arrived as early as 07h00 in the morning for this life changing moment. The Department of Home Affairs was on site and with their help players with fake identity documents (ID) were turned away.
A zero tolerance approach has been adopted against age cheating and Home Affairs officials will be present at each scouting session to ensure that only those with legal birth certificates and IDs are allowed participation.
Internationally renowned soccer scout, Paulo Cardoso was impressed with the level of commitment displayed by the trialist.
“The quality was good, one player was particularly good and his performance today was something special. I believe he could be selected easily for the final tournament.”
Support Coach, Scelo Qwabe, said this is an opportunity of a lifetime for these youngsters. He said as local coaches they have learnt a lot from Cardoso.
Players that were selected are Mvelo Tembe (Jozini – Makhanisi), Ntokozo Mdletshe (KwaHlabisa – eMdletseni), Sithembiso Ngobe (Big Five – KwaMdu), Siboniso Shandu (Mtubatuba – KwaMsane Area), Lucky Tembe (Jozini- eMathayini) and Misokuhle Mabuyakhulu (Jozini – 16)
The second leg of the trials begins today in Zululand District with a Coaches Workshop. More than 15 open trials will take place across the Province. After all the districts have been visited, approximately 145 players will be selected to attend a two weeks intensive training camp in March. After the two weeks training the final squad consisting of 25 players will be selected.
The details of the forthcoming trials are as follows:
- 14-15 January 2014 Zululand Ulundi Stadium
- 18-19 January 2014 Amajuba Osizweni Stadium
- 21-22 January 2014 UMzinyathi Dundee Oval
- 25-26 January 2014 UThukela Kandahara Sport Grounds, Ladysmith
- 28-29 January 2014 UMgungundlovu Harry Gwala Outer Fields
- 1-2 Feb 2014 Sisonke Oval, Kokstad
- 4-5 February 2014 UGu UGu Sports and Leisure
- 7 -8 February 2014 UThungulu Eshowe High, Ground
- 10-11 February 2014 ILembe KwaDukuza Recreation Grounds
- 15-17 February 2014 Umlazi King Zwelithini Stadium
- 18 February 2014 Durban Rural Chief Manzolwandle Stadium
- 19 February 2014 Chatsworth 1016 Football Field
- 20 February 2014 Claremont Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium
- 21-22 February 2014 KwaMashu Princess Magogo Stadium
- 23-25 February 2014 Durban Central George Campbell fields
