Meshack Khotha
Meshack Khotha
Boca Juniors of Argentina lifted the Gauteng Future Champions trophy with an emphatic 2-0 victory over Tunisia's Esperance in a pulsating final at Safa Development Centre in Soweto.
The inaugural Under-17 tournament was sanctioned by the Gauteng department of sports, arts, culture and recreation.
MEC Barbara Creecy said the tournament would be an annual event but did not specify the exact dates and venues for future tournaments.
"We are grateful to international teams that travelled more than 1000km to be with us for the whole week in this development tournament.
"We would also like to thank the participating teams and the community in and around Soweto for their contribution towards the success of the tournament," Creecy said.
Boca Juniors and Esperance entertained the handful of spectators on Saturday as they played magnificent football throughout.
Boca qualified for the final by beating Kaizer Chiefs 4-3 in a penalty shootout while Esperance edged out Inter Milan 2-1.
Boca upped their game and mesmerised Esperance with some sublime ball distribution.
Man of the match and playmaker Javier Silva cooly led the Argentine onslaught in an impressive fashion and had a hand in both moves that led to his team's goals.
Striker Kevin Genaro gave Boca a 1-0 lead in the 39th minute with a beauty and Crispiano Rodriguez made it 2-0 towards the end of the game.
Meanwhile, Refilwe Jane, Frans Kekana and Koketso Motshopi have earned a place in Saturday's final assessment programme at the same venue.
The three achieved the highest mark during a talent identification programme held at the same venue.
They will be up against top talent in the 14 and 16-year age groups from Kaizer Chiefs, Moroka Swallows, Safa Sedibeng and Safa Johannesburg.
The three top players on the day will earn themselves a week-long all-expenses paid trip to feature in the youth development system of a premier European club in July.
Boca strike twice against Esperance to lift trophy
Meshack Khotha
Meshack Khotha
Boca Juniors of Argentina lifted the Gauteng Future Champions trophy with an emphatic 2-0 victory over Tunisia's Esperance in a pulsating final at Safa Development Centre in Soweto.
The inaugural Under-17 tournament was sanctioned by the Gauteng department of sports, arts, culture and recreation.
MEC Barbara Creecy said the tournament would be an annual event but did not specify the exact dates and venues for future tournaments.
"We are grateful to international teams that travelled more than 1000km to be with us for the whole week in this development tournament.
"We would also like to thank the participating teams and the community in and around Soweto for their contribution towards the success of the tournament," Creecy said.
Boca Juniors and Esperance entertained the handful of spectators on Saturday as they played magnificent football throughout.
Boca qualified for the final by beating Kaizer Chiefs 4-3 in a penalty shootout while Esperance edged out Inter Milan 2-1.
Boca upped their game and mesmerised Esperance with some sublime ball distribution.
Man of the match and playmaker Javier Silva cooly led the Argentine onslaught in an impressive fashion and had a hand in both moves that led to his team's goals.
Striker Kevin Genaro gave Boca a 1-0 lead in the 39th minute with a beauty and Crispiano Rodriguez made it 2-0 towards the end of the game.
Meanwhile, Refilwe Jane, Frans Kekana and Koketso Motshopi have earned a place in Saturday's final assessment programme at the same venue.
The three achieved the highest mark during a talent identification programme held at the same venue.
They will be up against top talent in the 14 and 16-year age groups from Kaizer Chiefs, Moroka Swallows, Safa Sedibeng and Safa Johannesburg.
The three top players on the day will earn themselves a week-long all-expenses paid trip to feature in the youth development system of a premier European club in July.
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