Soccer saw a great start to their season in May when the 1st XI were handed their jerseys by DHS Old Boy, Joshua Smith, Class of 2004.
Joshua is currently working as the High Performance Manager for Amazulu Football Club (South Africa); and as an online tutor for the University of South Wales Sport and Exercise Medicine courses.
Joshua has previous experience with Supersport United (South Africa), Gençlerbirliği S K (of Turkey – Super Lig), and Kaizer Chiefs Football Club – Head of Sports Science (South Africa); as well as with the South African Men’s Senior National team as their Sports Scientist and Conditioning coach in the qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup; and the qualifiers for and at the AFCON 2019 tournament. His earlier experience in the football industry being at youth level with Santos FC and Ajax Cape Town (both South Africa).
Thank you for your support and loyalty to DHS.
1st XI Match Report vs Kloof High School:
On Monday 10 May the 1st XI Football Team played their season opener and first game in 2 years against Kloof High School in the KZN High Schools’ Football Associations’ 2nd term league.
The game started off as a very cagey affair with both sides making mistakes. Our own Minenhle Vilakazi broke the deadlock with a moment of brilliance as he curved a free kick into the top corner. However, Kloof struck back within a short amount of time through a long throw as some confusion at the back led to both DHS centre backs clashing together and missing the ball, allowing for an easy tap in for the Kloof striker. The game was being played at a frantic pace and not too much composure which led to DHS conceding again, this time through an own goal scored by the Keeper.
Our 1st XI team showed great resolve and found an equaliser through a well-timed header by Solwazi Dlamini off a corner. School then finished off the 2nd half after a slick series of combination passes and sprints saw 1st Team Captain and Striker, Andile Langazane, go through one-on-one with the opposing keeper and coolly slot the opportunity home to score the 5th goal in 20 minutes and put an end to a frantic 1st half.
The 2nd half was a lot more controlled and tactical, as DHS sacrificed taking more attacking risks in exchange for a more well-rounded and controlled defensive performance. A 40 yard shot from midfielder Cebo Mbuyisa sailed into the top corner to give DHS a fourth goal and all 3 points in the opening game of the league.
Result:
DHS 4 WBHS 2
Scorers:
Minenhle Vilakazi, Solwazi Dlamini, Andile Langazane, Cebo Mbuyisa
1st XI Match Report vs Kloof High School:
The 2nd game of the 2nd term league, proved to be a feisty one against local rivals, Westville Boys’ High. Durban High school started off the livelier of the two sides, creating a couple of good chances which saw some excellent saves from the Westville Goalkeeper. The DHS boys struggled to get their passing game going on a very bumpy Jimmy Bellows field, but nevertheless persisted by focussing more on their pressing defensive style. This approach to the game paid dividends late in the first half when DHS attackers were able to take the ball off the Westville defenders, after a successful press, and pass it swiftly to Captain Andile Langazane, who calmly slotted the chance home giving ”School” a 1-0 lead going into halftime.
The 2nd half was a very emotionally charged one as the Westville Boys threw everything at the DHS defence in search of an equaliser. The Westville Boys and their efforts earned themselves a red card and two goals to win the encounter.
Result:
DHS 1 WBHS 2
Scorer:
Andile Langazane
Thabiso Makhetha
M-i-C : Football/1st XI Football Coach
