Maimane Alfred Phiri Games (Map Games) is one of the most exciting tournaments on Alexandra’s football calendar and indeed nationally.
The 17th edition of the tournament for junior teams in the township will kick off on 26 May.
The tournament consists of four age groups of 16 teams each, those being the U13, U15, U17 and U20. The teams will play each other in their respective age groups in a knockout format with the winners progressing to the quarters, semis and ultimately the finals scheduled for Youth Day on 16 June.
All the matches will be played at the Number 3 Square Grounds. The knockout matches are scheduled for 27 and 28 May, the quarterfinals on 3 and 4 June followed by the semis on 10 and 11 June with the finals on 16 June.
Speaking at the tournament launch, Maimane Alfred Phiri, founder of the games and a former Ajax Cape Town and Bafana Bafana midfield maestro, welcomed all the participating teams in the various age categories after emerging from a tough round of preliminaries to qualify for what he described as the ‘World Cup’ of amateur football.
Phiri said the Map Games boasted the unearthing of talented players that are now playing in the Absa Premiership. One example is Cape Town City FC, captain and Alexandrian Lebogang Manyama, who is currently the leading premiership goal scorer with 13 goals to his credit in the team’s maiden season.
Others include Kaizer Chiefs’ Siphiwe Tshabalala, Khethukuthula Zwane of Highlands Park, Tumelo Mogale of Baroka FC, Mpho Makola and Patrick Phungwayo both of Orlando Pirates, Linda Shiba of Chippa United, and Philani Cele of newly promoted Thanda Royal Zulu, a team that will ply its trade in the Absa Premiership next season.
Phiri, chairperson of the recently established Maimane Alex Development Foundation, expressed his gratitude to sponsors and partners such as the City of Johannesburg, Gauteng Gambling Board, Absa bank, Boston City Campus and Business College, Daily Sun, Africa Meter Reading, Coca Cola, Basil Read, Alex FM, e.tv, Umso Construction and the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation.
Read: Map Games introduces other sporting codes
What are your thoughts on this tournament? Tweet @AlexNewsZA to share your views.
