MARITZBURG UNITED DEVELOPMENT WING

13 MAY 2008

The Maritzburg United Academy Team were recently sponsored leisure wear by Citi Meats. Managing Director Mr. Yacoob Noorbhai is seen with Academy players (from left) Fabian Le Bon team captain, John Sithole and Sifiso Mthethwa. Mr. Noorbhai and his company are proud to be part of the ambitions of Maritzburg United Football Club. He also takes this opportunity to wish the first team the very best in their quest for the PSL status.

FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT

Masiye F.C. from Hammarsdale visited us on the 02 May 2008 and played our U13, U15 and U17 Teams at the Alexander Park Football Grounds. It also gave the MUFC Development Coaches an opportunity to identify talent in the different age categories. The games were played in a sporting manner with the MUFC teams winning them all.

Herewith are the results of the games;

U13 MUFC 8 Masiye F.C. 0
U15 MUFC 7 Masiye F.C. 0
U17 MUFC 4 Masiye F.C. 1

Here Lucky Nene, formerly of the Academy team who has been promoted to the first team chats to the both the U13 teams prior to their kick off. Lucky hails from Hammarsdale.

MUFC U13 make another raid into the Masiye defensive third. The youngsters played sparkling football and scored at every opportunity. 

U15 players from both teams with their respective coaches pose for this picture before their kick-off.

U17 players from both teams with their respective coaches pose for this picture before their kick-off.

All three teams kicked-off their official season on Saturday the 10 May 2008.

The Maritzburg United U19 team are gearing up for the play-offs of the Metropolitan Cup that is scheduled to be played on the 17 th and 18 th of May 2008. The venue is not confirmed to-date. According to the Head of Development and the team’s Coach Katz Naidoo, there will be a play-off made up of four teams, the winners from the four streams.

Maritzburg United won their stream undefeated and are looking to defend the Championship they won last year. It is here the lads have to pull out all stops and produce the performance that can allow them to retain the Championship, added Katz.

Team Captain, Fabian Le Bon is upbeat and believes that they have the will and the belief to succeed. Our coach always wants us to believe that with good tactical and match discipline, individual responsibility and above all hard work, any thing is possible.

The Academy players are seen doing a “speed” exercise as part of their training routine.

DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

The Development Wing of the Club held a “Four vs Four” project U12’s in the Sisonke Region. Sixty learners from the greater Ixopo district participated in the tournament. The project was coordinated with Mr. Memela Smanga from the SAFA Sisonke offices together with the Primary Schools in the region.

Learners wait to be allocated into teams of 4.

Action from the 4 vs 4 games

TOURNAMENTS

The U13 and U15 teams participated in the Lamontville Golden Arrows Youth Tournament that was held in Cato Manor, in Durban. Both teams were silver medalists with two players picked up special awards, see picture below.

The two achievers at the Lamontville Golden Arrows F.C. Youth Tournament, Mthokozisi Mkhize voted the “Best Goalkeeper” on the left and Lungelo Msomi awarded the “Best Player” are seen posing with their awards with their Coaches Simo Msomi (left) and Dumisani Hlope.

Coaching Workshop

The Development Wing of the Club held a workshop for the Trust Feeds (Wartburg) community soccer players and coaches. The practicals executed addressed the three stages of a training session related to specific age groups.

The workshop was coordinated with Mr. Themba Ndaba a resident and coach from the area.

The pictures show the two stages of a warm up part of a training session, static stretching and dynamic stretching with the ball.