The Virginia High School (VHS), in partnership with the Virginia Sports Academy, has brought home the bronze medal from the highly acclaimed Brebner High Soccer Tournament.
This was the first time the Virginia boys competed in the tournament, hosted by the Brebner High School in Bloemfontein. They also played matches at the Christian Brothers College (CBC).
Held from 16 to 19 July, the tournament attracted 48 schools (24 U15 teams and 24 U17 teams) from across the country.
These included prestigious schools such as the Gledwood High School (KwaZulu-Natal), Kimberly Boys’ High School (Northern Cape), Clapham High School (Gauteng), Grey College, Glen High School (Gauteng) and the Direct Contact School from Harare (Zimbabwe).
Teams were grouped in four streams of six teams. The VHS was in stream C with Grey College, Navalsig High School, Northern District, Kimberley Boys’ and Hoopstad Academy.
Virginia won all their group stage matches, making it the only school in the tournament without a loss nor draw.
The semifinal between the two top-ranked football schools in the country was the most anticipated clash in the school football.
Virginia (second) lost 2 – 0 to Clapham (first). Clapham would then go on to win the tournament.
The loss encouraged the VHS to fight harder to determine the third and fourth position holders against the Louis Botha Technical High School (THS). They claimed the bronze medal with a 2 – 1 win, despite Louis Botha having scored first.
Lehlohonolo Ntjana was named the Player of the Tournament for his incredible performance overall.
The VHS scored a total of 19 goals in eight matches, made possible by the efforts of Oageng Lebesane, Lehlohonolo Ntjana, Lebohang Masheana, Lesego Mahasha, Lehlohonolo Khanas, Sello Mokhobo, Amohelang Twala, and Lisolethu Tshangela.
“We are very proud of the boys and their determination. The aim was to claim the gold medal, but losing to Clapham is nothing to be ashamed of,” says Pitso Mokoena, head coach.
The VHS, together with the Virginia Sports Academy, has claimed some success in all tournaments played for 2025.
The players won a gold medal at the Absa Wildeklawer tournament and As’phelelanga soccer tournament; silver at the Kloof High School National Football Tournament; and bronze at the recent Brebner Tournament.
The VHS, in partnership with the Virginia Sports Academy, will play in another national tournament from 16 August in Potchefstroom, hosted by Potchefstroom Boys’ High School.
The VHS’ technical team comprises Pitso Mokoena (head coach), Ngakane Lekhoba (team manager), Molise Liphoko (head of sports), and Mahlomola Seleke (goalkeeper coach).
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