Nkomazi’s Selati Cup temporarily suspended
A match between Langeloop Blue Crane and Lugedlane Wanderers in June had to be cut short after an altercation.
Mpumalanga’s biggest and arguably the only lucrative amateur soccer tournament, the Selati Cup, has been put on hold until further notice.
This follows some ugly scenes that played themselves out during the semi-final clash between Langeloop Blue Crane and Lugedlane Wanderers.
The game had to go to penalties, and that’s where the problems started. Some soccer supporters threw missiles and bottles onto the pitch. The match was stopped as the authorities felt it was no longer safe for the players and other spectators.
It had produced no outright winner after they had played to a goalless stalemate during regulation time on Sunday June 2.
Thousands of soccer supporters have been denied the final showdown which was scheduled at the KaMhlushwa Stadium on Sunday June 9.
Lying in wait are the Magogeni Liverpool that had earlier booked themselves a space in the final after beating Block C Blue Birds 3-1.
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According to a communique released by the tourney’s main sponsors, RCL Foods and the local organising committee (LOC), the tournament was suspended to allow for proper stakeholders engagement as to how to proceed.
“The tournament was suspended to allow the LOC and other football structures to finalise issues pertaining to the match in question’s stalemate. Given limited time to the original set date of the finals, it was evident that the matter was not going to be resolved in time for the scheduled finals. RCL Foods’ management are in constant discussions with all stakeholders, including the owners of the two teams concerned. The matter will be resolved soon. All stakeholders will be appraised of the developments in due course once all the necessary processes have been concluded,” read part of the statement.
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The Selati Cup, which is hosted annually in Nkomazi, has not only helped to create future soccer stars, but has also helped stimulate the local economy in this region. This tournament attracts thousands of supporters from across the province and other parts of the country.
