The Limpopo Provincial U/17 team are this year's Coca-Cola U/17 Youth Challenge champions. They proved all their critics wrong and crushed the much-respected Western Cape squad 4-0 in the final that was played at the Olympia Stadium in Rustenburg on Saturday.
The opening matches for the annual event were played last Monday. The teams were divided into two streams, Inland and Coastal. Limpopo and Western Cape qualified for the final after topping their respective streams. The local lads drew 1-1 with Mpumalanga in their opening match that was played last Monday. Their second match was against Gauteng, whom they beat 2-0.
Their game on Saturday against Western Cape was a one-sided affair. Their unstoppable striker, Lucky Chauke, who is a product of the JM Academy of Sports, gave them a 3-0 cushion with a hat trick. Their fourth goal was an honour to Thilivhali Ramutsindela. Ramutsindela had also scored their equalizing goal against Mpumalanga earlier in the week.
Limpopo were awarded with gold medals and a floating trophy during a ceremony that was held at the stadium after the final match.
The runners-up, Western Cape, took home silver medals while the third-placed Gauteng team was rewarded with bronze medals.
The coach of Limpopo, Raymond Mdaka, was nominated the coach of the tournament. He received a trophy for his achievement.
Serame Matalingoane of Western Cape scooped the player-of-the-tournament award, while the goalkeeper of the tournament prize went to Sherwin Naiker of Gauteng. The top goal scorer in the tournament was Dingaan Vuyolwethu of Western Cape. He scored six goals.