The Zeekoevlei High School U19 Boys Soccer Team returned home to Lotus River with a silver medal after a historic run at the Super Soccer Schools Tournament in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) last week.

The team finished second after a narrow 5-4 penalty defeat to De Kuilen in the final.

Coach and teacher Jordan Gysman confirmed that the squad of 18 boys who travelled to the Eastern Cape for the prestigious national tournament, which brings together some of the finest school football teams from across all nine provinces.

“We had a slow start, but our resilience pulled through and we ended up in the final,” he said. “We beat the hosts and currently the best soccer school U19 team in the country. It was an amazing experience taking the boys out of Lotus River and exposing them to a national tournament, also giving them a platform to perform and showcase their talent.”

Rising star

Adding to the celebrations, Zeekoevlei’s Rilley Amos was awarded the Rising Star of the Tournament accolade.

“I’m so grateful to be named Rising Star of the tournament,” said Amos, a Grade 12 learner. “It was tough, challenging, and full of learning, but I gave it my all. Thank you to my coaches, teammates, and everyone who supported me. This is just the beginning. Being on the national stage was spectacular, especially from where we started.”

The tournament, hosted by Urban Academy in Gqeberha and broadcast on the SuperSport Schools platform, features provincial knockout playoffs in each of the nine provinces, with the top under-16 and under-19 boys’ and girls’ teams competing.

Pride and brotherhood

Team captain Ismail Kolombo, also in Grade 12, described leading the side as a huge honour.

“This tournament was tough, but we stuck together through the wins and losses. What made me most proud was the brotherhood we built. We fought for each other on and off the field,” he said.

He paid special tribute to Gysman for helping shape the players both on and off the field.

“Soccer is about more than winning. It’s about teamwork, discipline, respect, and brotherhood. As captain, I promise to keep working hard and leading by example. I’m proud of us. Let’s learn from this and come back even stronger next time.”

Fellow squad member Fabregas Adams, in Grade 10, called the experience life-changing.

“I was kind of nervous that I would not make the team, but the moment I found out I made it, an overwhelming feeling came over me. I really hope that especially young boys of this generation will be inspired by me. I am really looking forward to next year, and I am sure that we will win it.”

Community roots

The squad is made up of talented young men from Ottery, Lotus River, Phumlani Village, and Pelican Park.

Gysman said the boys were over the moon when they learnt of their qualification, which had been a two-year goal.

The team’s success follows their triumph last year when they lifted the Wynberg Boys Freedom Cup trophy.

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