IT was joy and smiles on the faces of Stanford Build It NEBFA when they claimed the Build It Zonal Finals U/13 Competition trophy after their well-deserved 3-1 victory over Cleary Park Build It NAFA in the finals that took place at Motherwell NU 2 Stadium on Saturday.
The participating teams were local teams Stanford Build It NEBFA and Sunridge Build It PEFA, Motherwell Build It MOFA teams, Cleary Park Build It NAFA, Nobuhle Build It NODEFA and Daku Build It ZAFA, as well as Sarah Baartman sides Grahamstown Build It, Somerset East Build It, Kenton-On-Sea Build It, Port Alfred Build It and Graaff Reinet Build It.
PSL side Supersport United scouts Dean Farmer and Thabo September came all the way from Pretoria to do a talent search.
The tournament started in a round robin format and ended in a knockout format. In the first semi-final, Stanford Build It NEBFA defeated Nobuhle Build It NODEFA 1-0, while Cleary Park Build It NAFA eliminated Daku Build It 2-1.
Stanford Build It NEBFA claimed a 3-1 victory over Cleary Park Build It NAFA in the finals.
Cleary Park Build It drew first blood through Jaydon Young. Stanford Build It replied with a goal by Masilakhe Gcakasi. Lilitha Maqungu’s brace sealed the victory.
Build It Regional Director Gershwin Lewack stated that he discovered that there was immense talent.
“These players have immense talent from which this country will benefit. The tournament was supported and the games were highly contested. I am very happy,” he said.
September praised the teams that participated and said the future stars played quality football.
Maqungu was named player of the tournament and received a R5 000 bursary.