Memolodi Sundowns junior team wins junior tournament
“The youngsters were taken off the streets and captured by the sport".
Duduza – Soccer players showed off their soccer skills on the field during the Ekurhuleni Youth Tournament (EYT).
The tournament was the second edition for the u-13 boys and ran from September 1 to October 7.
Participating teams were from the SAFA Ekurhuleni u-13 Regional Tournament which was held on August 9 at Germiston Stadium.
Mamelodi Sundowns were crowned the overall champions of the tournament after beating the Safa Ekurhuleni squad 3-0 in a match that was replayed on Sunday.
The game had to be stopped the previous day due to a water-logged pitch as a result of heavy rain.
Having played three matches and lost one in the group stages, Sundowns went on to wallop Hyper Academy 1-0 in the quarter-finals.
They then confirmed their spot in the finals after beating Zonkizizwe Local Football Association (LFA) 3-0 in the semi-finals.
Safa Ekurhuleni, on the other hand, drew one and won two of their group stages.
They proceeded to the quarter-finals where they knocked out Katlehong LFA 2-0 and went on to beat Bidvest Wits 5-4 in penalties.
A total of 48 players were acknowledged with Man of the Match awards from all the matches played.
Local businessman, Mfundo Mntambo, says they were excited to be part of such a great initiative.
“It is also important to host such initiatives during the school holidays.
“The youngsters were taken off the streets and captured by the sport.
“This is also a platform where they are groomed to be gentlemen and also learn to be disciplined.
“We sponsored the second prize of R10 000 which went to Safa Ekurhuleni,” he says.
The winners walked away with a trophy, gold medals as well as R20 000 prize money.
Bidvest Wits took third spot and pocketed R5 000 plus bronze medals,” he says.
