The evergreen Benny’s Soccer Academy will represent Vhembe during the provincial SASFA U/16 Metropolitan finals matches, which will be staged at Mokopane tomorrow (Saturday).

According to Metropolitan’s sponsorship manager, Ms Jennifer Padayachee, the winner of the event will participate with other provinces’ champions in the national championship. “This stage of the competition is particularly crucial for the schools. They are one step away from representing their province at the national finals,” she added.

The president of the South African Schools Football Association and SAFA Vice-President, Mandla ‘Shoes’ Mazibuko, added that “Metropolitan has a long history of supporting development football in South Africa. Success of national teams is dependent on identifying and growing talent at an early age. Only a handful of companies are prepared to support development football and we are pleased that Metropolitan remains committed to this sponsorship,” he said.

The five schools from different districts around the province that will battle it out in the play offs are Benny’s Care Soccer Academy (Vhembe), Hudson Ntsanwisi (Mopani), Kabelo (Capricorn), Phahamen (Waterberg) and FK Tsiabane (Sekhukhune).

The coach of Benny’s Care Academy, Mr Justice Matloga, said that he was happy with the way the team was gelling. “The boys are doing their best and we have a good understanding.” Matloga said their aim was to use the tournament as their stepping stone to the national champions. “Apart from the fact that there is a lot at stake in the competition, it is time for us to fulfil our promises,” Matloga said.