dyton mupawaenda
Sports Reporter
PREMIERSHIP newcomers Scottland will be represented at this year’s Pirates Cup, a prestigious Under-21 tournament hosted by South African Premiership heavyweights, Orlando Pirates.
Winners of the four-day tournament will pocket R100000.
Scottland are in Group K together with Limpopo School of Excellence, Galeshewe Stars and SPU FC.
William Nyasulu will be in charge of the team at the tournament and action starts tomorrow across two venues: Wits Marks Park and Sturrock Park.
Scottland chief executive, Ronald Moyo said they were grateful to have been included in this year’s tournament where they were picked from as many as 3000 applicants.
“Orlando Pirates extends invitations to interested clubs every year. We were one of over 3000 teams that applied, and we are happy that we were one of the 52 teams whose applications were accepted,” said Moyo.
Moyo said they are sending a squad of players meeting the entry requirements.
“It’s an Under 21 tournament and these are academy players playing in the ZIFA division two league. They ply their trade in the ZIFA Division two league.”
Meanwhile, fixtures for the Pirates Cup were concluded early this week following the official draw, which was held at the plush Marriott Hotel in Melrose Arch on Saturday.
The day kicked off with Orlando Pirates hosting a Workshop for the 60+ participating coaches, covering crucial topics like goal planning, training methodology, and even a boot presentation by adidas.
Scottland were represented by Nyasulu and club secretary general, Fortune Bgwoni.
Also in attendance at the event were first team head coach Jose Riveiro and his technical team, who took time out of their busy schedule to grace the occasion. Club legends Lucky Lekgwathi, Teboho Moloi and Phumudzo Manenzhe were also in the house, lending their prestige to the occasion.
The draw produced some intriguing matchups, with hosts Orlando Pirates landing in Group A alongside Young Pirates, Invitational Eleven, and North-West University.
Meanwhile, defending champions University of Johannesburg (UJ) face a stern test in Group C, where they’ll battle The Citizens – a team that reached the knockout stages last year; as well as Ebenezer Academy and Brits Soccer Academy.
Other notable groups to mention are Group E and Group G. In Group E we have last year’s runners-up Amahle, Tembisa Destroyers, Lerumo Lions and James Mothibi Academy.
While for Group G – its TS Galaxy, Meadowlands Academy, River Park and The Immortals Football Academy.
In the women’s section, defending champions JVW FC and 2024 runners-up Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies avoided an early showdown.
JVW FC headline Group A alongside University of Pretoria, Wits University, and University of Limpopo.
Sundowns Ladies were placed in Group B with Winhoek City SC, eMalahleni Ladies LFA, and University of Johannesburg − Orlando Pirates/Sports Reporter.
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