The pride of youth soccer in Limpopo, Benny's Care Academy, showed character and determination during the Milo U/13 national finals, which were played at the Matlosana Stadium in Klerksdorp (North West) last Friday and Saturday.

They finished third in the competition. They beat Western Cape 1-0 and the Eastern Cape 3-0, lost 1-3 on penalties to Mpumalanga and beat North West 3-2 in the loser’s final.

The manager of the team, Mr Tshilidzi Sidebi, said the team had received tremendous support from the principal and teachers. “Just getting to the national finals has made a difference to the boys in terms of confidence and motivation,” he added.

He said that the team played well, but were over-excited in the semifinals. The President of SASFA Limpopo, Mr Hulisani Mabasa, congratulated the team and said that the importance of sports in the lives of young people was valuable “and goes much further than the basic answer that it keeps them off the streets.” He said sports provided many positive opportunities for the community, especially school children. “Good sportsmanship provides guidelines that can be used in the classroom. It also teaches children to function in a competitive society.”