MAMELODI Sundowns were once again the last South African team standing at the Future Champions Gauteng International Tournament, missing out on a podium finish by a whisker after finishing fourth.
Sundowns, guided by Godfrey Sapula, will represent SA at the Brazil tournament later this year for the second successive time.
Sundowns were defeated 2-0 by Congo's CESD La Djiri in a third place play-off match at the Nike Football Training Centre in Soweto at the weekend.
Clube Atletico Mineiro from Brazil won the under-17 event featuring 15 clubs from all over the world for a third consecutive time, after beating Club Tijuana from Mexico on penalties.
Sundowns' director of football, Mike Ntombela said the success of their junior teams is a clear indication they are beginning to focus more on development.
"We have Percy Tau, the youngster in the senior team, who is a good story to tell about our development programme."
Development coach Sam Mbatha added: "We have 60 youngsters under 10 years from all the nine provinces that we selected and keep on monitoring. The impressive ones will be added into the academy."
Downs' juniors fly flag again
MAMELODI Sundowns were once again the last South African team standing at the Future Champions Gauteng International Tournament, missing out on a podium finish by a whisker after finishing fourth.
Sundowns, guided by Godfrey Sapula, will represent SA at the Brazil tournament later this year for the second successive time.
Sundowns were defeated 2-0 by Congo's CESD La Djiri in a third place play-off match at the Nike Football Training Centre in Soweto at the weekend.
Clube Atletico Mineiro from Brazil won the under-17 event featuring 15 clubs from all over the world for a third consecutive time, after beating Club Tijuana from Mexico on penalties.
Sundowns' director of football, Mike Ntombela said the success of their junior teams is a clear indication they are beginning to focus more on development.
"We have Percy Tau, the youngster in the senior team, who is a good story to tell about our development programme."
Development coach Sam Mbatha added: "We have 60 youngsters under 10 years from all the nine provinces that we selected and keep on monitoring. The impressive ones will be added into the academy."