{"id":265310,"date":"2025-07-03T10:34:27","date_gmt":"2025-07-03T08:34:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/?p=265310"},"modified":"2025-07-03T12:09:58","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T10:09:58","slug":"virginia-soccer-players-bring-home-silver-from-national-tournament","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/virginia-soccer-players-bring-home-silver-from-national-tournament\/","title":{"rendered":"Virginia Sports Academy soccer players bring home silver from national tournament"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Virginia High School, in partnership with the Virginia Sports Academy (VSA), brought home the silver medal from the Kloof High National Soccer Tournament&#8217;s 2025 edition.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The U19 tournament was held over the weekend of 27 to 29 June in Kloof, Durban, where 32 top schools went head-to-head for the prestigious title.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The teams were divided into eight groups of four teams \u2013 group A to group H. Virginia was in group C with George Campbell, Kernsey College and Ashton College. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2024 Virginia was the bronze medalist of this tournament.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Virginia started their campaign strongly defeating George Campbell by 8 \u2013 0 in their opening match, and topped the group with maximum points \u2013 9 points \u2013 having not lost a match in the group stage.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Virginia played a very tough game against the defending champions, Nqabakazulu Secondary, in the semi-final and won by 1 \u2013 0.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After a 3 \u2013 3 draw in the final against Pinetown Boys High School, Virginia lost 4 \u2013 3 on penalties, getting the silver medal. Virginia played world class and competitive football throughout the tournament and for many, they were the favourites. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Four Virginia players were included in the team of the tournament. They are Lebohang Mobe, Mozwakhe Flatela, Kabelo Mokhuane and Sello Mokhobo.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;The performance of the boys in this tournament is very much convincing that the programme at VHS in partnership with VSA is really world class,&#8221; says team manager Ngakane Lekhoba. The other management includes Pitso Mokoena (head coach), Mahlomola Seleke (goalkeeper coach), Molise Liphoko (head of sports) and Thonkha Lebona (co-manager).\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Virginia High School went into the tournament with high spirit and motivation after being ranked number two best football school in the nation by SA Schools Sports in the first rankings of 2025.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;The credit to the team&#8217;s performance must be given to head coach, Pitso Mokoena. His dedication to prepare the team for the tournament is unmatched. I would also like to thank Virginia Sports Academy&#8217;s management for the support, facilities and encouragement they give the school and the players,&#8221; Lekhoba concludes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Virginia started their campaign strongly defeating George Campbell by 8 \u2013 0 in their opening match, and topped the group with maximum points \u2013 9 points \u2013 having not lost a match in the group 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Virginia High School U19 soccer team who brought home a silver medal are from the left, front: Kgotso Tansi, Kabelo Mokhuane, Remofilwe Sebola, Jaden Radebe, Lehlohonolo Khanas and TO Lebona (co-manager); middle: Ngakane Lekhoba (team manager), Retshedisitswe Maiyane, Fikile Yena, Thato Dichaba, Lehlohonolo Ntjana, Bokamoso Mokiri and Oageng Lebesane; back: Tshepo Mokhatla, Mozwakhe Flatela, Mpho Nhlokoe, Sello Mokhobo, Thato Kraal, Monnaotsile Matkhoko and Lebohang Mobe.  Photo: Supplied","article_media_icon":"1","article_template":"news","author_byline":"","background_color":"","block_editor":"1","byline":"Marti","cmplz_hide_cookiebanner":"","competition_end_date":"","contact_advertise_email":"","contact_advertise_phone":"","contact_editorial_email":"","contact_general_email":"","contact_general_phone":"","contact_office_hours":"","contact_physical_address":"","enabled":"","featured_image_custom_caption":"","featured_video_url":"","fields":"","font_body":"","font_header":"","frequency":"","headline":"Virginia team brings home silver from national 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Vista<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/virginia-soccer-players-bring-home-silver-from-national-tournament\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Virginia Sports Academy soccer players bring home silver from national tournament\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Virginia started their campaign strongly defeating George Campbell by 8 \u2013 0 in their opening match, and topped the group with maximum points \u2013 9 points \u2013 having not lost a match in the group stage.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/virginia-soccer-players-bring-home-silver-from-national-tournament\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Vista\" \/>\n<meta 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Virginia High School U19 soccer team who brought home a silver medal are from the left, front: Kgotso Tansi, Kabelo Mokhuane, Remofilwe Sebola, Jaden Radebe, Lehlohonolo Khanas and TO Lebona (co-manager); middle: Ngakane Lekhoba (team manager), Retshedisitswe Maiyane, Fikile Yena, Thato Dichaba, Lehlohonolo Ntjana, Bokamoso Mokiri and Oageng Lebesane; back: Tshepo Mokhatla, Mozwakhe Flatela, Mpho Nhlokoe, Sello Mokhobo, Thato Kraal, Monnaotsile Matkhoko and Lebohang Mobe. 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