Bahama FC stand out

Numerous teams participated in the tournament, which was hosted in KwaThema over the festive season.

The tournament is an initiative of the Ekurhuleni Goodwill Committee in conjunction with the Local Football Association.

“The games had three categories, including the u/15, seniors and masters categories.

“Matches kicked off at the KwaThema Sports Complex in a round-robin format, from December 16 to 24. We recessed on 25 and 26.

“From December 27 to 29, the competition preceded to the knock-out stage for the last 16 and last eight,” explains coach Mkhonzana Mkhonza, who was part of the organising team.

Teams competing for the third and fourth spots played on December 29 at the KwaThema Stadium. All finals took place on the following day.

Results of the three categories:

Senior soccer teams

• Top achievers of the tournament were Bahama FC, who were showered with prize money of R80 000, the floating trophy, gold medals and kit.

• Second spot was taken by Zar, who bagged R50 000, silver medals and kit.

• The third-place spot went to Wololo FC, who won R20 000 and bronze medals.

Master soccer teams

• First place was grabbed by RDP, who took home a reward of R10 000, the floating trophy, gold medals and kit.

• Second place went to All Stars, who won R7 000, silver medals and kit.

• Verbal Warning took third prize, including R3 000 and bronze medals.

U/15 soccer teams

• Multi Falcons were crowned the champs of their division, winning the floating trophy, gold medals and kit.

• Second place was taken by Junior Spinners, who won silver medals and kit.

• Bolton Villa stood at third place, walking away with bronze medals.

“Thank you to the African Reporter for all the coverage about the tournament, to the Ekurhuleni Municipality for all their help, especially with facilities, the sponsor, teams and the community.

“We hope that in future we will continue working together, as such an initiative helps keep our young people off the streets, unites the community and gives our business people an opportunity to make money,” says Mkhonza.

Coach of Bahama FC, Aletta ‘Shuffle’ Ngidi, says the team is thrilled to have won the challenge and that the prizes will truly help in continuing its development.

“It was a great honour coaching these boys, who competed at the senior level and showed great talent and determination.

“Our preparations went well and they pulled together as a team, which was great, as for some it was their first time being in such a tournament or at the final stage of one.

“We thank the organisers of this tournament and it makes me happy and proud to see such development of the sport in our township,” she says.