AmaZulu FC’s U19 & U17 teams returned from the Easter weekend with heads held high after strong showings at two of the country’s premier youth football tournaments — the Bayhill Premier Cup in Cape Town and the Vision View Cup in Johannesburg.
The U19 side, led by Coach Andile Cele, finished as runners-up in the Pat Connely Midsection Final of the Bayhill Premier Cup. Meanwhile, the U17s reached the quarterfinals of the Vision View Cup, narrowly losing 1-0 to the School of Excellence in a tightly contested match.
Despite falling short of silverware, Coach Cele expressed immense pride in his team’s efforts and the invaluable exposure they gained.
“It was a great experience for the boys — for some of them, it was their first time traveling outside the province,” said Cele. “Firstly, we must thank the club management and our technical director, Mr. Celo Mbanjwa, for ensuring we could attend a tournament of this magnitude.”
“We played good football at times. Unfortunately, we had to learn the hard way about the importance of physical and mental endurance to go all the way to the final. Our last day wasn’t our best — we should’ve done better — but we’ll learn from it. Ultimately, it’s about growth, improving for the future, and catching the attention of national selectors.”
Ubuntu Academy claimed the Bayhill Premier Cup title after defeating Randburg FC 2-0 in the final.
Over in Johannesburg, Coach Philani Shange echoed similar sentiments after the U17s’ spirited campaign at the Vision View Cup.
“It was a very good tournament — a great opportunity for our youngsters to compete with top teams like Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, and SuperSport United,” said Shange. “There were national team scouts present, and even teams from outside South Africa, like Zimbabwe and Namibia, which made it a special platform for exposure.”
“For many of our players, this was their first time outside of KwaZulu-Natal, but they rose to the occasion. We’ve seen where we need to improve, and that’s a crucial step. We’re thankful to the club and the families back home for their support.”
SuperSport United were crowned champions of the Vision View Tournament.
Both coaches praised the tournaments not only as vital for player development but also for their own growth as mentors of the game. With renewed focus and experience under their belts, the future certainly looks bright for Usuthu’s rising stars.
