The Thohoyandou U/15 boys' FNB Legacy team were crowned champions of the FNB Football First 2025 national festival, held at the University of Johannesburg from 7 to 9 October.
The Thohoyandou side beat KwaZulu-Natal 1-0 in the final.
The Thohoyandou U/15 girls' team almost matched their male counterparts but suffered a narrow loss in the final, going down 3-2 to the KwaZulu-Natal side. The girls are coached by Ms Glenda "Tukie" Furumela.
The boys' coach, Mr Justice Mtileni, said their success was the result of a collective effort. He said the spirit of commitment demonstrated by the players had played a vital role in the team's success. He also praised the technical staff for helping the boys reach their full potential.
Mtileni said the tournament was very important for the development of soccer in South Africa. He noted that most of the players came from disadvantaged homes and had little to look forward to. Some of their parents are unemployed and struggle to meet daily expenses. The tournament, he said, provided them with hope and belief in their abilities.
Mtileni added that the team had produced many promising youngsters who were beginning to make inroads into senior football. "We have produced good players such as Thendo Mukumela, who plays for Black Leopards, and many more," he said.