*Caption: St. Francis soccer team that is invited to Manchester

Written by: Ndumiso Nxumalo

St Francis College soccer team will get a chance to show their skills internationally at a tournament in Manchester, next year in April.

St Francis is an independent school in Mariannhill and achieves 100 percent matric pass rate every year.

The principal of the school, Jabulani Nzama, said they were very happy to be chosen to participate in these games.

“Many people are not aware that the school exists and this is our chance to show people that we exist and we are doing well in soccer and academically,” he said.

“We always encourage our people to concentrate on their school work and also play sport to build their self-confidence and be healthy. Pupils must know that there are other opportunities out there and they can pursue sport professionally after matric,” added Nzama.

The team has done very well in many soccer competitions and tournaments as in March they won the Ntee High School Tournament, playing against 19 other teams and in May, they won the Brettenwood tournament, eight teams participated. In April, they were champions of the KwaNdengezi Community Tournament, in which eight teams participated.

St Francis College soccer also participated in the COPA Coca-Cola Cup again June where they were defending champions and finished second after losing 1-0 and also again in June they were able to finish third in the Kloof Tournament

One of the St Francis College soccer players Singabakho Madlala who will be going to Manchester said that he is excited about the upcoming trip.

“It’s exciting to know we have a chance of visiting another country but the most important thing is to perform at our best at the tournament,” said Madlala.

“I’m expecting to learn a lot from this trip and that a solid relationship will be formed between European and South African teams and academies’’ added Madlala.

The team is currently busy with their preparations for the trip and playing friendly matches with big teams in order to strengthen the team.