Map Games head for scintillating finals this weekend
ALEXANDRA– A scintillating final of the Map Games 2016 awaits football lovers in Alexandra on 9 and 10 July.
The 2016 Maimane Alfred Phiri (Map) Games are heading for a scintillating showdown this weekend at the Alexandra Stadium where the champions of the seniors’ category in both men and women’s will be crowned.
Like always, the Alexandra Stadium is expected to be filled to the rafters, and the organisers, including the founder of the tournament, Alfred Phiri, seem to have taken heed of Alex News’ suggestion that they should ban alcohol in the stadium.
For a number of years, the finals have been marred by spectator violence in the stands as unruly and drunken fans picked fights with each other.
This year alcohol is banned in the stadium which augers well for the tournament in the future.
The sad news is that there will be no Alex women’s team represented in the finals and the trophy will again be displayed in the cabinet of a team outside of Alexandra.
Alex’s Sasol League giants, Bluebirds Ladies were booted out in the group stages of the tournament while the only other hope for Alex was Alex Ladies who were booted out in the quarterfinals.
The women’s semifinals section of the tournament will be played in two legs, an away and home leg, starting on 9 July between Crusoes and Palace Super Falcons of neighbouring Thembisa and the other between Aqua Ladies of Krugersdorp and Drama Queen.
With the exception of Drama Queen, all the other semifinalists ply their trade in the Sasol Women’s League. Defending champions, Silver Spears coached by blind mentor Dumisani Ntombela could not make the tournament to defend the trophy.
In the men’s section, defending champions Sun City Classic will not defend the cup as they were eliminated in the quarters by last year’s finalists, JT Black Stars.
The men will start tomorrow’s games in the second leg of the semifinals, which will see Stars up against Rebels while Alexandra’s only hope for the championship, DRA Peacemakers FC will collide with Braamfischer Eagles.
The Alexandra Masters Soccer League final will be on 10 July, with defending champions Real Sundowns (for which Phiri plays for) up against Headbuoys.
As usual, the curtain raiser match for all the finals on 10 July will feature an exhibition match of great magnitude between Alexandra’s skillful and nimble-footed U15 sides, Real Madrid up against Malandela Mighty Heroes.
