Miami fish second place

Eleven of the 22 farm teams players selected to form the Agri United to play against SuperSport United are from Mopani farms.

The players were selected during the 2019 Game of Stars finals which took place at the The Ranch Resort outside Polokwane on Saturday.

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One player is from Bavaria Fruit Estate, four from Richmond Kopano, another four from Mahela Boerdery, two are from Miami Canners while the rest are from farms in Capricorn, Sekhukhune and Vhembe.

According to Lourika Vlietstra of the The Mark Fish Foundation, the Agri United team selected by soccer legends Mark Fish, Eddie Motale and Chris Manoka will travel to Pretoria on November 10.

They will be coached at the Tuks High Performance Centre from November 11-14 and on November 15, they will play two friendly matches against SuperSport United at the Lucas Moripe Stadium and return to their farms on November 16.

“There is a definite improvement in the quality of play since the initiative started in 2018. The football played on Saturday was entertaining, fast paced and exciting. Well done to all the teams that made it to the Finals and thank you for the quality of football you played, truly a pleasure to have watched,” said Mark Fish.

Fish congratulated the winners of the 2019 Game of Stars – Schoonbee Landgoed from Groblersdal and last year’s winners, Richmond Kopano who ended in second place.

Also the new comers, Miami Canners from Letsitele placed third.

He also thanked Nico Myburg from The Ranch Resort who organised the sponsorship for the fields.

“The Ranch pitches are very well kept and the players, who is used to sand and veld pitches enjoyed playing on it. It was also great to see the number of farmers that came out to support their teams, travelling all the way from Musina, Tzaneen and Hoedspruit,” said Fish.

The foundation thanked the sponsors namely: Letsepe Foods, Agri Limpopo, Saai, Farmboek, King Price, Bosveld Landini, Uconomy and Dapper for making the event possible.

“Our focus now lies on getting the AgriUnited team’s camp and friendlies organised. The quality of players myself, Eddie ‘Magents’ Motale and Chris Manoka selected are good and I cannot wait to showcase rural talent and afford the 22 players with an experience that will stay with them for a lifetime,” said Fish.

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Fish said that the AgriUnited camp will focus on developing the player’s as individuals, both physically and mentally, teach them what teamwork on and off the field should be, create a spirit of sportsmanship and expose them to what it feels like to be part of a professional team.

“I welcome anyone that wishes to contribute to this initiative to contact me – mark@mff.org.za. Together we can change attitudes, uplift communities and empower individuals. Onwards and Upwards!,” added Fish.