{"id":300003,"date":"2026-04-01T08:19:42","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T06:19:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/?p=300003"},"modified":"2026-04-01T08:19:44","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T06:19:44","slug":"rising-stars-shine-at-second-annual-de-beers-afc-champions-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/rising-stars-shine-at-second-annual-de-beers-afc-champions-cup\/","title":{"rendered":"Rising stars shine at second annual De Beers AFC Champions Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The local football scene reached a fever pitch this past weekend as the second annual De Beers AFC Champions Cup took place from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 March.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What has quickly become a premier fixture on the youth sporting calendar saw 50 teams and over 900 players compete in an impressive display of talent, discipline and community spirit.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/
De Beers under-18 B’s Masitembe Mhaga advances dangerously close to the opponent’s goal line.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The tournament drew close to 2 000 spectators and featured four age divisions \u2013 under-12, under-14, under-16 and under-18 \u2013 providing a platform for the region’s rising stars.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The format was designed to test teams to their limits. Starting with a rigorous round-robin group stage, the competition moved into a knockout format with teams battling through the round-of-16 and quarter-finals within two days.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/
De Beers under-14 players gather for a team talk before facing Atl\u00e9tico Nacional.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

To ensure every team had something to play for, the tournament was split into Cup and Plate sections. Winners received trophies and medals, while the Cup champions walked away with new team kits. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Individual excellence was recognised with Golden Glove and Golden Boot awards for top players.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/
De Beers under-14 player Brody Stripp beats his determined Atl\u00e9tico Nacional opponent during the weekend’s tournament action.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the under-12 division, Sunningdale City FC claimed the Cup after defeating Stellenbosch FC, while hosts De Beers 1 took the Plate. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The under-14 category saw Eagles Performance Academy soar to victory over Fuego Academy for the Cup, with Holy Cross securing the Plate section.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/
Wearing the captain’s armband, De Beers under-14 skipper Kairav Makan battles for possession against Atl\u00e9tico Nacional.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The under-16 division saw Stellenbosch FC lift the trophy against Central AFC, while De Beers 2 earned Plate honours. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the premier under-18 division, Nomenti FC dominated by defeating Veron Academy for the Cup, with Holy Cross FC adding the Plate to their collection.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/
De Beers under-14 player Jaime Steele controls the ball with his chest during tournament action.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Organisers hailed the second edition as a “massive success,” noting significant growth in both player participation and spectator turnout compared to the inaugural event. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Said Junaid Roopnarain, chairperson of De Beers Junior AFC: “I’m very happy and proud of the organising team who worked tirelessly to make the tournament a great weekend of football. It has become a must enter event. We’re inviting many other teams for the 2027 version, with more exciting things to come. We’re also looking for a major sponsor.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/
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