Home teams shine in Soweto

The younger team claimed victory and were crowned winners of the tournament in their age group, while the senior team lost their match in the semi-finals stage.

“This tournament that our girls participated in was conducted by the Ivan Khoza family in honor of their late daughter Zodwa Khoza.

“Therefore, the games, which are in their 10th year, kicked off early August with 16 teams in each of these age groups,” explains managing director of Springs Home Sweepers Mkhonzans Mkhonza.

Both teams then played their first three games well, which awarded them a chance to move to the last eight in each division.

From those wins they both qualified, moving on to the semi-final round.

“The senior team lost 3-2 during their semi-finals match which they played against TUT.

“The juniors on the other hand went all the way to the finals where they won 2-1 against Development of Soweto team.

“The girls did well, and we are very proud of them, as this shows that when children have something positive to do, they can go far,” he says.

Mkhonza says such tournaments help in the development of the sport, as this is the only tournament in the country which caters for young girls.

“We are really grateful as this gives our young people exposure, and is fun as they are able to play with other girls their age, since they normally only compete against boys,” he adds.

The local team thanks the organisers of the tournament, the Springs Local Football Association, locals schools and the City of Ekurhuleni for all their help and support.

Mkhonza further encourages parents to let their children take part in sports, so they can keep busy, since he says there is a lot of bad things happening in the community.