Edwin Soko, coach of the Arsenal Under-12 side that represented South Africa in the 2006 Danone Nations Cup in Paris, France, has set his side the target of winning the tournament's national playoffs, thus qualifying to represent the country again.

Edwin Soko, coach of the Arsenal Under-12 side that represented South Africa in the 2006 Danone Nations Cup in Paris, France, has set his side the target of winning the tournament's national playoffs, thus qualifying to represent the country again.

Soko's side, which is based in Middelburg in Mpumalanga, will be representing the province for the third year in succession in the national playoffs, which will be held in Mossel Bay from May 10 to 13.

"I have five players from last year's team who are still eligible to play. Their experience and my experience I gained in the last three playoffs and the international tournament will be vital," said Soko.

Arsenal made headlines for all wrong reasons last year after winning the national playoffs.

It was alleged that Soko used overage players, but he refutes the claims.

"We have a squad of many players and only 14 are allowed to travel with the team. The claims of overage cheating arose when we left some players and their parents started to complain," he said. - Richard Nkosi