The second edition of the Curro Halala Cup national finals lit up the fields at HeronBridge College from Friday, 7 August, to Monday, 10 August, delivering entertaining football and tight competition as 24 elite teams competed for the title.
In a gripping final, St Anne’s Technical High School defeated Christian Brothers’ College (CBC) Mount Edmund, winning 3-2 on penalties after an enthralling 2-2 draw in regulation time.
The event, featuring teams from the Western Cape, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, the Free State, and Gauteng, was described by Marlee Faro, the Public Relations Project Manager at Curro, as a celebration of South African football, with teams from the different provinces contributing their distinct character to the tournament.
The nationals finals quickly threw up shocks, with the defending champion, Curro’s Northern Academy, losing against the newcomers, St Anne’s Technical High, followed by a loss to Rosina Modiba Sports School in a crucial final group match, which resulted in them missing out on a quarterfinal place.
That elimination created shock waves and early excitement, knowing that a new champion would be crowned.
Ultimately, CBC Mount Edmund and St Anne’s advanced to the championship final, pitting Gauteng against the Free State for the prestigious title.
After 38 minutes, CBC opened up a 2-0 lead, but St Anne’s clawed their way back into the contest, scoring two late goals to equalise at 2-2 and force the title game into a penalty shootout.
St Anne’s captain, Tshepang Mohoalali, who was also honoured as Player of the Tournament, took charge on the field, directing his side’s defence and motivating his teammates throughout the title game.
After the final whistle had blown, Curro CEO, Cobus Loubser, commented on the event, saying: “The Curro Halala Cup is about building a football pipeline and legacy. It’s about creating opportunities, showcasing talent, and giving every player a chance at something bigger.
“The lessons these young footballers learn through teamwork, resilience, and discipline will stay with them long after the final whistle blows,” he added.
“What we saw across these four days was more than a competition; it was a glimpse of the next generation of South African football.”
Individual awards
Moraswi Semenya, from Clapham High, won the Golden Glove with eight clean sheets, helping Clapham win bronze after beating Rosina 4-3 on penalties following a goalless draw in regulation time.
Tsheamo Mosana of Waterstone College claimed the Golden Boot with 11 goals.
Meridian Pinehurst received the Spirit Award, and St Anne’s Technical High School captain Tshepang Mohoalali was named the Player of the Tournament.
RESULTS
Monday, 10 August
Position 23/24
Curro Nelspruit (3) 2-2 (2) Curro Hazeldean
Position 21/22
Grey College 2-0 Curro Soshanguve
Position 19/20
Waterstone College 6-0 Meridian Cosmo City
Bowl Final/Position 17/18
Curro Thatchfield 2-1 The Vaal High
Position 14/16
Mondeor High 3-2 Curro Century City
Position 13/14
Flora Park 1-0 Norkem Park
Position 11/12
Barberton High 3-0 Glenwood
Plate Final/Position 9/10
Northern Academy 3-0 Camps Bay
Position 7/8
Meridian Pinehurst 1-0 Durban High School
Position 5/6
Virginia High 3-2 Navalsig
Bronze Playoff/Position 3/4
Clapham (4) 0-0 (3) Rosina
Final/Position 1/2
St Anne’s (3) 2-2 (2) CBC Mount Edmund
