The Bayhill Premier Cup is back like never before – and Africa’s biggest youth tournament kicked off with a bang, opening with great goals, good vibes and goosebumps.

You could just feel it in the air: goosebumps all over, the excited crowd bringing that extra vibe. The Bayhill Cup is back – and better than ever.

The first few games of the biggest youth tournament in Africa took place yesterday (13 April). 

Blue Downs Spurs took on Wayside Wanderers in one of the two opening games. 

The initial minutes were dominated by Spurs, who controlled the game in terms of opportunities. But Wanderers did not sit back, and drew first blood when Riyaad Prout rose highest to net a sumptuous header from a corner kick. 

Spurs pushed back in the second half, and equalised thanks to a pinpoint cross from Marcellino Solomons, which was tucked in with the head by jersey number 15, Chumisa Phohlongo.

As the game elapsed, it looked like both teams would have to settle for a draw.

But a moment of brilliance by Shakir Dollie changed that as he sealed all three points for Wanderers – with a volley that stands a good chance of becoming the goal of the tournament (already). 

We caught up with Shakir Dollie and asked him about that pulsating goal. 

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“I didn’t expect to score a goal like that on Day 1,” he said. “It was a great feeling for me, ending the game like that. Scoring the winning goal, what a feeling.”

With a goal like that, this young man has already shown great promise, and is surely destined to reach the elite level.

“My personal ambition is to move up and eventually go professional. I believe that I can do that.”

So do we – and we’re looking forward to big things.

Here are the results of Day One at the Bayhill Premier Cup. 

Wayside Wanderers 2-1 Blue down Spurs

Jordan Callies 1-0 Hustlaz Academy

Grassy Park 0-0 Rebels FC

Hanover Park 1-0 Bayview

Greenwood 0-1 FN Rangers

Hellenic 1-0 JL Zwane

Juventus 0-0 Ikapa Sporting

Edited by Nicklaus Kruger