Alex 2019 juniors’ champions of Map Games receive soccer equipment

Winners of the Maimane Alfred Phiri’s Map Games 2019, Royal Tigers, and United Stars FC received soccer equipment from Shelela tours as a replacement to a camp that the champion players were supposed to attend in March last year.

Shelela Tours general manager Siphiwe Nkosi said the idea of buying equipment was essential for both teams. “After some meetings with the champions’ coaches we came to a conclusion that we should at least buy them soccer equipment that is worth the amount that was to be spent on camp,” said Nkosi.

Each team received 15 soccer balls, two sets of beeps, 50 soccer cones, one set of the technical poles, a pump, and a technical board, all of which will help both clubs for years to come with their training exercises.

United Stars FC chairperson Sakhile Zulu said the equipment came in handy as his club was really struggling with soccer balls. “I was very stressed for this season because I have six divisions and lacked adequate soccer balls to facilitate our training sessions.

“I am very happy with the equipment as it will help us in the league that we are due to start soon after more than a year without kicking a ball. We will be playing both the league and the Map Games at the same time.”

The Alexandra Northrand Local Football Association’s technical director and also head coach of Royal Tigers FC Mxolisi Mngomezulu said the equipment was important as it will help the club address technical matters with players as clubs are non-profit organisations and struggling with cash liquidity.

Mngomezulu told Alex News that his club is lucky to receive the equipment as they desperately needed it for their training sessions. “The equipment just given to us will go a long way in elevating the standard of play for our teams moving forward.

“We will not work on fitness only as we did previously because we now have more soccer balls to prepare our strikers to shake every net they see.”

Maimane Alfred Phiri said the coaches were pleased with the rewards as it’s time to prepare for the 2021 season. Phiri highlighted that this year’s Map Games will start with the senior divisions but all divisions will get a fair chance to express themselves in the field of play.

“Everyone will get a chance to play, which includes other sports such as netball and running, just to name a few. We are starting with the seniors this year as we need to prepare well for juniors that haven’t kicked a ball in more than a year.”