THE Transnet Football School of Excellence plans to use the 2012 Gauteng Under-17 Future Champions international tournament in Soweto to return to their winning ways.
It starts today in Pimville and ends on March 31.
Sponsored by the department of sport, arts, culture and recreation, the tournament features four local and eight international clubs.
Excellence's technical staff member Mandla "Coach" Mazibuko said they were looking forward to doing well in the tournament.
The school that produced the likes of Steven Pienaar, Masilo Modubi and Dillon Sheppard qualified for the event after reaching the semifinals of the Gauteng Schools Soccer Cup.
"It's a great honour to have qualified for this tournament, it's been a very long time since we won a major competition," said Mazibuko, who works closely with head coach Khabo Zondo.
"We want to use this tournament to get back to our winning ways. It is good that we will be playing against teams from Brazil, Holland and Qatar. This will help in exposing our players.
"We also hope to learn a thing or two from our African brothers in Zambia, Botswana and Ghana."
Foreign clubs invited to compete in the tournament include Qatar's Aspire Academy and Zambia's K Stars, owned by Kalusha Bwalya.
Others are Atletico Mineiro (Brazil), PSV Eindhoven (Holland), New England Revolution (USA), Nacional (Uruguay), FC Nania (Ghana) and Gaborone Young Zebras (Botswana).
The 12 participating teams are divided into four groups of three. Each team will play every other team within the group, plus one crossover game with a team from another group.
The other South African teams are Orlando Pirates FC, BidVest Wits and Mohloli High School.
Today's fixtures are:
11.15am: Excellence (SA) vs K-Stars (Zambia)
12.30pm: Wits (SA) vs Aspire (Qatar)
3.45pm: FC Nania (Ghana) vs Nacional (Uruguay)
3pm: New England Revolution (USA) vs Pirates (SA)
6.30pm: Young Zebras (Botswana) vs PSV Eindhoven (Holland).
Future Champions tournament kicks off
THE Transnet Football School of Excellence plans to use the 2012 Gauteng Under-17 Future Champions international tournament in Soweto to return to their winning ways.
It starts today in Pimville and ends on March 31.
Sponsored by the department of sport, arts, culture and recreation, the tournament features four local and eight international clubs.
Excellence's technical staff member Mandla "Coach" Mazibuko said they were looking forward to doing well in the tournament.
The school that produced the likes of Steven Pienaar, Masilo Modubi and Dillon Sheppard qualified for the event after reaching the semifinals of the Gauteng Schools Soccer Cup.
"It's a great honour to have qualified for this tournament, it's been a very long time since we won a major competition," said Mazibuko, who works closely with head coach Khabo Zondo.
"We want to use this tournament to get back to our winning ways. It is good that we will be playing against teams from Brazil, Holland and Qatar. This will help in exposing our players.
"We also hope to learn a thing or two from our African brothers in Zambia, Botswana and Ghana."
Foreign clubs invited to compete in the tournament include Qatar's Aspire Academy and Zambia's K Stars, owned by Kalusha Bwalya.
Others are Atletico Mineiro (Brazil), PSV Eindhoven (Holland), New England Revolution (USA), Nacional (Uruguay), FC Nania (Ghana) and Gaborone Young Zebras (Botswana).
The 12 participating teams are divided into four groups of three. Each team will play every other team within the group, plus one crossover game with a team from another group.
The other South African teams are Orlando Pirates FC, BidVest Wits and Mohloli High School.
Today's fixtures are:
11.15am: Excellence (SA) vs K-Stars (Zambia)
12.30pm: Wits (SA) vs Aspire (Qatar)
3.45pm: FC Nania (Ghana) vs Nacional (Uruguay)
3pm: New England Revolution (USA) vs Pirates (SA)
6.30pm: Young Zebras (Botswana) vs PSV Eindhoven (Holland).
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