The annual under-19 Bayhill Premier Cup (BPC) kicked off yesterday, Wednesday March 27, at Erica Park, Belhar, with youth teams from across the city and country going head-to-head for ultimate glory.
At the time of going to print, Fish Hoek-based Ubuntu Academy were gearing up for their opening fixture against Mitchell’s Plain’s Westridge FC in the tournament’s opening fixture.
Slotted in Group B, along with Cape Town City FC and Safa CT Academy and Westridge, Ubuntu’s current crop will undoubtedly have a lot to live up to as former squads had established a reputation as cup final contenders in various competitions in recent years.
Under-18 Coke Cup finalists in 2022 and back-to-back Engen Knockout Challenge (KOC) winners in in 2019 and 2021 as well as KOC national championship finalists in 2021, the class of 2024 will certainly have their work cut out in the early rounds.
Over the next few days this year’s Premier Cup group stage and knockout matches will be played in Belhar with the finals scheduled for Athlone Stadium on Monday April 1.
That said, qualifying for the tournament proper is in itself an accomplishment as Ubuntu had to work their way through the rigmarole of a lengthy series of play-offs to secure their spot in this year’s competition.
But it’s not all been plain sailing, says coach Kristopher Bergman, who has been with Ubuntu Academy for the past three years.
“Given the many talented teams in Cape Town, our journey through the play-offs was not smooth sailing. We too have seven under-19s starting in our ABC Motsepe side which posed a challenge, but relying on a few of our younger players was not a problem. Ultimately every member of our squad played their part and we are stronger as a result,” he said.
For Bergman and his colleagues it’s not just about winning matches but developing players on and off the pitch.
“Firstly, he said, ”Ubuntu’s emphasis on family and community creates a supportive environment for us as staff members and players, so everyone feels valued and motivated.“
“It’s been rewarding witnessing our boys grow holistically and become not only talented footballers but leaders in their communities and teams they’ve moved on to. Evidently two of Cape Town’s DStv Diski Challenge teams are being captained by Ubuntu graduates – Shaakir Ahmed with Stellenbosch and Jordan Allies of Cape Town City,” he said.
“The youth of South Africa is ultimately going to shape the future of our country. We do our best to empower our boys and girls to become positive leaders of their communities so to set the standards rather than to follow. Footballers are looked up to, so I think it’s crucial for them to be positive role models,” Bergman said.
“Everyone who follows football is acutely aware of the opportunities the tournament presents to players, coaches, managers and even officials,” said Premier Cup tournament director, Rayaan Alie, “many of whom have been selected at the event and have gone on to enjoy illustrious careers in the beautiful game.”.
This year, he said, the entire BPC event will be broadcast live to the SuperSport Schools app, and supporters are encouraged to download the app which can also be used by clubs to analyse matches.
“The contribution from SuperSport Schools has quadrupled in 2024, with 73 matches being covered live on the app for the duration of the event, as well as having streamed the entire play-off and round robin stages in the build up to BPC24,” said Alie.
