All eyes will be on the Senior Men, especially after their recent superb performances at the Central Gauteng Cross Country Champs held at the Kagiso Sports Complex, as well as at the Slow Mag/Pirates 10km road race, says Siyaya Khoza, coach at the Nedbank Soweto Development Club.

The main highlight at the recent CGA Cross Country Champs was the Men’s 10km race where 6 Nedbank athletes finished in the Top 10, taking the first 3 positions. David Manja led from the first lap to win overall, however, he could not claim the gold as it was the provincial championship and he hails from North West. Gold then went to his teammate, Precious Mashele and Silver to Ntsindiso Mphakathi.

Athletes to look out for at next month’s SA Champs include David Manja, Precious Mashele and Ntsindiso Mphakathi.  “I am expecting a very good performance from especially David. He represents Nedbank, but will be wearing the North West colours. David decided to compete at the Central Gauteng Cross Country Champs just to prove how ready he is. He also realises there is more competition here than in his own province,” says Siyaya.

Precious Mashele, who represented South Africa at the World Champs in Uganda, is another definite force to be reckoned with, says Siyaya. He finished third at the recent Slow Mag/Pirates 10km in a time of 29:24.

Another star athlete Siyaya is very excited about is junior Kutlwisiso Sidinile, who in the past was crowned South African Champion in 1500m running a blistering 3:52 to claim gold. “The plan for Kutlwisiso is to at least get a podium position at the SA Champs this year.”

“Based on Saturday’s performance I am expecting about 15 or our development athletes to form part of the final team that Central Gauteng will select,” says Siyaya.

RESULTS
CENTRAL GAUTENG CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPS
10KM MEN
1. David Manja (NW)
2. Precious Mashele - 32:53
4. Ntsindiso Mphakathi - 33:20
6. Phillimon Mathiba - 33:54
7. Itumeleng Tshetlanyana - 34:09
9. Derocious Makhobalo - 34:28

10KM WOMEN
3. Andronica Mokgotla - 42:32

8KM JUNIOR MEN
4. Kutlwisiso Sidinile - 27:41
6. Thabo Masina - 28:27

6KM JUNIOR WOMEN
4. Liza Kellerman - 26:13

4KM MEN
8. Jacob Malefo - 3:20

PIRATES 10KM RESULTS
MEN
Namakoe Nkhasi     (Nedbank)      29:09
Thabang Mosiako     (Nedbank)      29:10
Precious Mashele     (Nedbank)      29:24

WOMEN
Mamorallo Tjoka     (Nedbank)      34:18
Glenrose Xaba     (Boxer)      34:31
Lebong Luthuli (Phalula)          35:18

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