Tshikota High School were crowned the local champions of one of the richest junior tournaments, the U/19 Kay Motsepe School Cup. They won the Soutpansberg cluster, with the final matches being played at the Makhado Show Grounds on Saturday.

Tshikota faced Manaledzi High in the final clash, and the exciting match ended in a 1-1 draw. Three schools contested the finals and played each other on a round-robin basis.

Earlier in the day, Tshikota hammered the team from Ozias Davhana in their first match with a score of 12-0. Manaledzi followed suit but could only beat them 7-0. Tshikota qualified by having a better goal difference.

In the final clash, Manaledzi could have sealed the game within the first 20 minutes, but their strikers seemed to have left their scoring boots at home. At that stage, the Tshikota defenders were running for cover.

Rikhode Ramapala of Manaledzi scored the first goal after receiving a well-timed pass from Adolph Fhetani. Manaledzi then went into defensive mode, leaving Thendo Maligudu as a lone striker. Tshikota kept on adding pressure and scored the equaliser through Sello Hlahla towards the end of the first half.

The Manaledzi keeper, Mulweli Morudu, made his presence felt in the 59^th minute. He stretched to the limit to execute a brilliant save after Adivhaho Mudau unleashed a powerful half volley from the edge of the penalty box.

The game turned lukewarm for about 15 minutes as both sides ballooned from behind. Thendo Maligudu of Manaledzi made his last attempt in the 79^th minute. He unleashed a volley from just outside the box. The ball missed the goal mouth by inches, much to the disappointment of the fans.

Tshikota will now play against other winners from three clusters at Musina on Saturday, 20 July.