The Western Cape were the last team standing, as they beat Kwazulu-Natal in the National KIA Street Soccer Final on Saturday afternoon. On a day just cool enough for the players to work up a light sweat, the five teams from the Western Cape, Kwazulu-Natal, Free State, Gauteng and Eastern Cape gathered at Soweto’s Maponya Mall for the opportunity to be crowned the first ever KIA Street Soccer National Champions.
Carrying the form that saw them take provincial honours, all five teams upped their game. With the pressure of representing their respective provinces firmly on their young shoulders, there was little room for error. They soaked this pressure up well, and there was little to separate the teams – with one of the finalists decided by a penalty shootout between Gauteng and Kwazulu-Natal. The ‘ultimate final’ itself, contested between Western Cape and Kwazulu-Natal, was a similar affair and it was one moment that saw Western Cape go one up over Kwazulu-Natal.
However, this weekend wasn’t only about the final on Saturday. A visit to the Hector Pieterson Museum and Soweto Theatre, a stop-over at the historic grounds of Orlando Stadium as well as to the majestic Soccer City complex provided the players with an educational and entertaining visit to the heartbeat of the county.
Thanks to our sponsors and partners Kia Motors, Foodzone, Supersport Let’s Play, Dawn Wing Global Express, Mille, Good Hope FM, ProNutro, SAFA; our PSL partners Ajax Cape Town, Amazulu, Bloemfontein Celtic and Orlando Pirates; as well as the provincial Departments of Health for the continued support. Thanks also to the City of Joburg for hosting us.
WINNERS:
Champions: Western Cape
Runners-up: Kwazulu-Natal
Third-placed team: Gauteng
Fourth-placed team: Free State
Fifth-placed team: Eastern Cape
KIA Street Soccer Player of the Tournament Award: Luseza Cawe (Western Cape)
KIA Street Soccer Golden Boot Award: Mfanelo Mbatha (Kwazulu-Natal)