Vhembe U/21 squad ready to go

The Vhembe U/21 squad is currently doing their final preparations for the annual Orlando Pirates Cup Tournament, which will take place at the Marks Park Soccer Fields in Johannesburg from next Thursday, 28 March.

According to the head coach of the team, Mr Mashudu “Coolio” Ndou, the squad will depart for the tournament on Tuesday, 26 March. Ndou expressed confidence in the strength of their assembled squad. He emphasised that their aim was not simply to participate but to make a significant impact in Johannesburg.

Both Vhembe-based Motsepe Foundation Championship League clubs, Black Leopards and Venda Football Club (VFC), have released their U/21 players to showcase their talents in the upcoming event. The tournament is expected to attract teams from more than 10 African countries.

Ndou highlighted that local professional clubs utilise the tournament as an opportunity to scout young talents from across the continent. The tournament, founded in 2022, has already seen the emergence of four players who are currently playing in professional ranks, including Mashudu Makhavhu, the current number one goalkeeper of Black Leopards.

As part of their preparations, the squad played a friendly match against the ABC Motsepe League side, Mpheni Defenders, last Wednesday. Ndou mentioned that upon their arrival in Johannesburg, they will engage in two rehearsal games against DStv Premiership sides, Sekhukhune United and Supersport United, to assess their readiness for the tournament.

Date:21 March 2024

By: Frank Mavhungu

Frank is a Human Resources Manager at the Department of Public Works in Limpopo. He is the longest serving correspondent of the Mirror, having joined us at the end of 1990.  He mainly writes sports reports and resides at Tsianda Village. In 2004, Frank won the National Castle League Award, an award for the best reporter in the SAB league in South Africa.

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