South Africa U17 Girls crowned FNB Lucas Radebe Football Festival Champions

The South African National Under 17 Women’s Team (Bantwana) was crowned the inaugural FNB Lucas Radebe Football Festival African Girls Champions on Thursday 06 October 2011. The football fest had been ongoing at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) – Soweto Campus since Monday, 03 October 2011. It came to an end on Friday 07 October 2011.

Bantwana achieved the champion status after beating neighbours Namibia by three goals to nil (3-0) in the final round robin match which was a decider based on points accumulated. South Africa’s first goal came from rookie Gabriela Salgado’s stunning free kick in the ninth (9 th) minute for a half time lead.

Nomvula Kgoale  grabbed the second goal in the 63 rd minute. Holofelang Manyama scored South Africa’s third in the 69 th minute of the match, ensuring victory for the hosts and a perfect record for the young South African girls. They finish the tournament without conceding a goal and scoring eight in the process.

Earlier in the day, the tournament’s development side saw the girls from Thohoyandou continue their fine form when they defeated George by five goals to nil (5-0) and Pietermaritzburg went down two-one (2-1) to Kimberly.

The boys from Thohoyandou continued where the girls left off, getting their first win of the tournament when they registered a three nil (3-0) over George, while Pietermaritzburg won three-one (3-1) against Kimberly to ensure pole position at the end of Day 4.

The tournament ended on Friday, 07 October 2011 when the development teams played their last fixtures to determine the champions in their respective groups and categories.

safa.net