The Durban U/19 International Football Tournament trials continues throughout KwaZulu-Natal yielding great results as football players are identified for their talent. The five districts visited thus far, Umkhanyakude (Hluluwe); Zululand (Ulundi); Amajuba (Newcastle); Umzinyathi (Dundee); and Uthukela (Ladysmith) have produced 31 players demonstrating great skills, which have impressed technical director and scouting icon, Paulo Cardoso.
“I have always believed that South Africa has incredible talent and my journey through KwaZulu-Natal thus far has more than impressed me. I am inspired by the talent and background of the players and more motivated to unearth more rough diamonds as we continue. Although the main focus of the scouting process is to find players for the tournament and the Hoy Park Sports Development Centre, but of equal importance is the laying of a foundation for a scouting network of coaches within the Province” said Cardoso.
The atmosphere at each of the trials is electric as players queue from the morning with the hope of being selected. Entry to the trials is only permissible upon producing a valid identity document or passport. Only players born in 1999 will be allowed to use birth certificates. Having adopted a zero tolerance approach to age cheating, a Home Affairs Immigration Officer is present to scrutinise birth certificates and IDs and players with fake documents are turned away immediately.
The scouting technical team is now at Umgungundlovu. Trials will be held at the AB Jackson’s Grounds, at the Harry Gwala Outer Fields on the 28th and 29th of January, More than 15 open trials will take place across the Province in the next few weeks. After all the districts have been visited, approximately 145 players will be selected to attend a two-week intensive training camp in March/April. After the two weeks of training the final squad consisting of 25 players who will participate in the Durban International Football Tournament will be selected.
Adjustments have been made to the venues in the Sisonke District, where trials will now be held at the Umzimkhulu Legacy Fields on 01-02 February. The Richards Bay Sports Complex in the UThungulu District will be used on 07-08 February, whilst the Emakhehleni Ground at F Section in KwaMashu will be used on 21-22 February.
The details of the trials are as follows:
- 28-29 January 2014 Umgungundlovu AB Jackson’s Grounds, Harry Gwala Outer Fields
- 01-02 Feb 2014 Sisonke Umzimkhulu Legacy Fields
- 04-05 February 2014 UGu UGu Sports and Leisure
- 07-08 February 2014 UThungulu Richards Bay Sports Complex
- 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 Emakhehleni – F Section
- 23-25 February 2014 Durban Central George Campbell fields
Parade to mark the official opening of council