Ubuntu juniors on fire at Unity Cup

Ever-impressive Ubuntu Football Academy, from Masiphumele, was on fire at the weekend’s Unity Cup, at the Solo Street sportsfield, in Steenberg, claiming the overall winners’ title after beating Hellenic FC 3-1 and 2-0  in the under-10 and under-12 finals, respectively.

If ever a side carried the burden of living up to previous success, the class of 2025 certainly had a lot to live up to.

For the record, Ubuntu’s under-12s have won the tournament three times already, and the under-10 team three consecutive times. 

Ubuntu showed off throughout the competition, with 47 and 22 goals in the under-10 and under-12 competitions. 

“Our under-10 starters showed off their high-quality and clear style of play in the group stage,” said coach Yannick Tabko Sop, who has been with Ubuntu for a decade, has four Unity Cup tours under his belt and coached various age groups over the years.

“They carried that momentum into the knockout rounds, delivering a beautiful performance with some incredible football displays to win the final 3-1,” he said.

“Of course, the under-12s also had an amazing run, winning all their games with an impressive score of 7 wins, 22 goals scored, and not a single goal conceded. They truly shone on the field,” Sop said.

While happy with the results, Sop says developing footballing skills  and winning games are not his only concerns.

“When it comes to developing young players,” he said, “I believe the most crucial aspect is their character.”

“I understand that football is a passion for many of them, so I use the sport as a platform to teach them valuable life lessons that will serve them well in the future. These lessons include discipline, determination, respect, self-belief, and leadership. So I use those values with my football principles to develop them both on and off the field.”

Having established a reputation as a formidable outfit over the years, Ubuntu’s current crop of talented juniors thrilled spectators, running rings around their opposition with deft touches, clever passing and accurate finishing.

“They’re a special group of boys from different backgrounds . I’ve been coaching them since last year when they were just 8 and 9 years old,”said Sop.

“What makes them special is  their unique qualities. They all have an incredible ability to learn quickly. They’re also great listeners, processors, and apply our principles and concepts on the field. It’s a real joy to work with them and witness their growth, both on and off the field,”said Sop, who was named manager-of-the-tournament.

In a side brimming with talent, it’s hardly surprising Ubuntu’s youngsters collected key individual awards with Lozano Hazu named under-12 player-of-the-tournament and Declan Fitzrandolph collecting the under-10 player-of-the-tournament award.

“Declan is a true modern midfielder. He’s a rock defensively , super calm with the ball, and he reads the game like a book,”said Sop. 

“He’s got that clear passing technique and those long-range shots that can make you gasp. And let’s not forget his leadership both on and off the field. He’s a great boy with a good attitude , and I’m so glad he’s on our team.”

Despite a near-flawless campaign, Sop’s young charges came up against an equally impressive Hellenic in the finals.

“My top highlight was the under-10 final against Hellenic,” Sop said. “We conceded early to go 1-0 down from a transition set piece where we didn’t defend well 

“But the boys didn’t let that get them down. They kept playing and came back to win 3-1. They showed incredible character and also sportsmanship. The atmosphere on and off the field was electric - it was a beautiful day for all the fans and the other teams.”he said.

“Raymond and his incredible team have done an amazing job. It’s always a pleasure to bring the boys’ experience to that event,” he said, paying tribute to host club Greenwood United's organising committee.

“It’s crucial to send our boys to events like the Unity Cup. It’s an incredible platform that brings together kids from all backgrounds. It’s a safe and enjoyable environment where they can compete and have fun. This gives them the chance to spend more time together and create lasting memories during breaks, waiting for the next fixture, and even among parents.”