Metropolitan Cup

it's that time of the year again where Cape town plays host to the annual Metropolitan under 19 Premier Cup(more affectionately known to some as the Bayhill Cup). The tournament is without a doubt South Africa’s most renowned under 19 tournament,each year the event attracts on average 30 000 spectators from all over cape town to witness the young talent on show. 

the tournament has grown in leaps and bounds since its inception in 1989,where the tournament took place in Mitchell's Plain on Rocklands sports grounds,with 16 teams competing over two days.The tournament has gone under immense change since 1989 and today we see 32 of the best under 19 teams in South Africa compete over six days at Belhars' Erica Park.  

Each year the tournament committee receives 100 applications from teams who want to partake in the footballing spectacle,those 100 applicants then go through two playoff stages and of those 100 only 14 teams can qualify for the tournament.The remaining 18 spots are filled by the hosts Bayhill United and teams that have been invited to play in the tournament,mainly PSL teams and Football academies.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the prestigious event,the tournament has been dominated by cape power houses Hellenic and Ajax Cape Town in the past,with Hellenic winning the Cup an outstanding 7 times and the Urban Warriors victorious on 4 occasions.however between 2009 and 2011 the trophy left the Mother City when it was won by Mamelodi Sundowns,Supersport United and Komesho FC(Namibia),but the Cup soon returned to the Cape when underdogs Philippi United(now Chippa United) beat the mighty Orlando Pirates in 2012's edition of the Tournament.

The tournament promises to be as,if not more,enthralling as the 24 before it,so make sure you make your way to Erica Park Belhar between the 27th of march and April 1st to wintness South Africa's next genaration of footballing talent on show.

Group A: Chippa United, Glendene united, RC Athletico FC, Bothasig
Group B: Bayhill United, Milano United, Stars of Africa (Gauteng), Berea Albion

Group C:, University of Pretoria (TUKS), Santos , Evertonians, Masidlale

Group D: Bidvest Wits, Swallows PE, Blue Down Spurs, Immortals Sports Academy

Group E: Ajax Cape Town, Harmony Academy, Atlantis Leeds, Belhar Spurs

Group F: Supersport United, Vasco Da Gama, Cape Town All Stars , Umgunglundlovu FC

Group G: Kaizer Chiefs, Morgenster United, Mpumalanga Black Aces, Hanover Park

Group H: Mamelodi Sundowns, Segra Football Academy (Nigeria), Old Mutual Academy, ASD Cape Town (group of death) 

* favorites to progress out of the group stages in blue

My favourites to win this years tournament :Ajax Cape Town,ASD Cape Town,Chippa United and Milano United(outside chance)

picture courtesy of  metropolitan cup website

 

for more info head to http://www.premiercup-bayhill.co.za/