Three players who represented Mopani in the TDS U15 Inter-provincial tournament in Gauteng. From left: JJ Nkuna, Mahlatse Mashakheni, and Akani Ntuvi.
By: Refilwe Sebola
The Limpopo Talent Development Scheme (TDS) under 15 team achieved a top-four finish in the 2024 TDS inter-provincial tournament held at Panorama in Gauteng Province last week.
Despite being placed in the tougher group, the team managed to advance with seven points, winning against Mpumalanga and North West, drawing against Eastern Cape, and losing to KwaZulu-Natal. In the semifinals, they faced a strong Gauteng team, including about seven players from the Kaizer Chiefs development team, and were defeated with a score of 5-3.
Notable players in the team included goalkeeper Mahlatse Mashakheni from TES Development in Kgapane township, striker JJ Nkuna, and central defender Akani Ntuvi, both from Nkowankowa Barcelona. The three players had an outstanding first three games of the tournament where they only conceded one goal in three games and JJ scored a brace.
However, Coach Tlou Molekwane’s team performance dropped afterwards due to the cold Gauteng weather and the slippery field conditions, especially on day two of the second tournament. Meanwhile, in the girls’ category, the Limpopo ladies TDS U15 team failed to qualify for the semifinals. They drew 0-0 with Mpumalanga in their first game, 1-1 with Eastern Cape, 1-1 with KwaZulu-Natal, and lost 4-2 to Free State province. Gauteng Province was crowned champions also in the girls’ category.