By Levy Masiteng
Urban Academy from Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape have booked their place in the final of the 2026 Kay Motsepe Schools Football Championship U19 Boys category after defeating Gauteng’s Clapham High School on penalties following a thrilling 2-2 draw in the semi-final on Monday.
The Eastern Cape side held their nerve in the penalty shootout, winning 4-3 after the two teams could not be separated at the end of regulation time.
The semi-final produced an entertaining encounter, with both schools fighting back to keep their hopes of lifting the national title alive.
Clapham and Urban Academy went into the half-time break deadlocked at 0-0, with neither side able to find the breakthrough in the opening 45 minutes.
The second half, however, delivered an exciting exchange of goals.
Clapham broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute through Thabang Makoba, giving the Gauteng side a 1-0 advantage.
Urban Academy responded in the 75th minute when Aqhama Ndibaza found the back of the net to restore parity and make it 1-1.
The drama continued as Omphemetse Sekgoto regained Clapham’s lead in the 82nd minute, putting the Gauteng side 2-1 ahead.
However, Urban Academy refused to surrender, with Lilitha Voyi scoring a crucial equaliser in the 85th minute to make it 2-2 and force the semi-final into a penalty shootout.
In the penalty shootout, Urban Academy proved more clinical, converting four penalties, while Clapham managed three goals and missed twice, sealing the Eastern Cape school’s place in the national final.
The victory puts Urban Academy one step away from the national U19 Boys title, following a dramatic comeback in which they twice fought back from behind.
Urban Academy will now turn their attention to the final at Giant Stadium Soshanguve, Pretoria, on Wednesday, where they will have the opportunity to cap their national campaign with the championship trophy.
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