25 May 2024 – The South African U15 girls’ national team will return home with continental silverware today after triumphing at the CAF African Schools Football Championship in Zanzibar on Saturday night.
Coach Ntombifuthi Khumalo’s team beat Morocco 5-4 on penalties at a packed Amaan Stadium after the final ended in a 1-1 draw, and Khumalo said she couldn’t be prouder of her players.
“I would like to extend my gratitude for the opportunity that allowed these young girls to be in a competition like this, which also helped us to discover such talent,” said the ecstatic coach.
“The girls showed that they can do so much more if they are given a platform like this to showcase their talent. I would like to thank SAFA, CAF, the Motsepe Foundation, the parents, the sponsors and our supporters back home. I would also like to thank the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the Department of Basic Education and all the people who were involved in making sure that our kids participated in this tournament. Everything went well, they are safe, happy and they are now CAF African Schools Football Championship champions.”
SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan congratulated the team on their achievement and said they had made the country proud.
The South African U15 girls’ national team follow in the footsteps of Banyana Banyana, who are the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations champions and Mamelodi Sundowns, who are the CAF Women’s Champions League title holders.
The team arrives at OR Tambo International Airport at 17h00 today (Saturday, 25 May 2024).
