Bantwana College NPO FC hold third annual preseason tournament

Any successful season begins with a thorough and rigorous preseason. Local female soccer stars were given the chance to fine-tune their performances with a single-day tournament on Saturday, 7 March.

The Third Annual Bantwana College Recycle Drive Women’s Preseason Football Tournament was hosted at the Barney Gaffney Stadium and pitted six teams against each other in a round-robin format. After all the teams had had a fair chance to size each other up, the final four were decided. Winners of the round-robin section, JvW Randburg, would play fourth-placed Diepsloot Sporting, leaving hosts Bantwana College NPC Football Club (BCFC) to take on The Generals.

BCFC were brushed aside 2–0 by The Generals, with the second semi-final needing to be decided by a penalty shootout. After a 1–1 draw, Diepsloot Sporting would have to overcome former Banyana Banyana goalkeeper Cailin Swart in the JvW Randburg goal. Needless to say the former international kept her cool, sending her team into the final with two fine saves from the spot.

A penalty shootout would also be needed to decide third place as BCFC thrillingly overcame a deflated Diepsloot Sporting, 5–4. A fine JvW Randburg team rounded out the day with a composed 1–0 win to add this title to the Bantwana College seven-a-side tournament they won in late 2019. Top goal scorer on the day was JvW Randburg midfielder Olivia Hardie, who has already made her debut for the U/17 South African team.

Founder of BCFC and tournament director on the day, Theo Buttress thanked those who made the day possible. Hoping to continue the momentum, he highlighted the intention of the day, proudly stating, “It’s to identify talent in their respective teams, prepare formations and positions of players, as well as to try out new strategies and tactics before the start of their respective seasons.”