An exceptional season for Glenwood High‘s 1st football team became even better when they were crowned the winners of the inaugural Mancosa Champs of Champs tournament on the weekend.
In September, they won one of the country’s premier and toughest events, the Nedbank Grey College Soccer Tournament.
They had previously won the Mancosa Coastal A-League title in June, finished as the runner-up at the Kearsney Soccer Tournament in July, and took second at the Big 10 in August.
The new event featured the winners of the three Coastal streams – A-League, B-League, and C-League – and the winners of the three Inland streams, facing one another.
The Green Machine exhibited a miserly defence on their way to the title, conceding a goal against Alexandra High in a 2-1 win in which Aphelele Magwaza struck twice for the Durban school. That was the only time their defence was pierced.
Next, they blanked Umvuzo High 2-0, then beat the Cowie Cup runners-up, Durban Academy, 1-0 in the semifinals to set up a final against the KZN Inland A-League champions, Edendale Technical High.
Again, Glenwood’s defence stood strong, and a late goal by Asande Msane secured the title for the Green Machine.
It has been a magnificent season for coach Khaya Mngwengwe and his players, one that will long be remembered. The consistency they produced over the course of a very long campaign, facing many of the best teams in the country, was outstanding.
The history books will speak kindly of the 2026 team’s efforts.