Aces want to do it a third time
There was a much bigger objective behind these games.
MALELANE _ The two-times Selati Super Cup champions, Schoemansdal Junior Aces, are on the road to rewriting the tournament’s history books by becoming the first team ever to lift this coveted crown for the third time since its inception in 2005.
After a series of gruelling and striking encounters, this lucrative amateur soccer tourney staged in the Nkomazi subregion, enters its semi-final stage, with Schoemansdal Junior Aces being one of the semi-finalists.
Aces will however have to outclass last year’s third runners-up, Black Burn United when they meet this Sunday at the Driekoppies Stadium, but they are certainly two steps away to greatness.
Also on the verge of making history are favourite contenders, the all-stars
Mdladla Peacemakers, who have been magnificent and have consistently produced beautiful football.
Mdladla Peacemakers’ famous victory was when they knocked out the defending champions, the Mlambo Royal Cubs, but they too have to go through another favourite contender, Driekoppies Barcelona, who finished third last year.
Even though many soccer pundits have already picked their favourite teams likely to take home the R75 000 prize money, the truth of the matter is that three of the semi-finalists have already tasted the sweet Selati before with Aces going all the way to the bank and this will only make the closing stages of this tourney much more exciting.
“I would like to congratulate all four teams who have made it to the semi-finals.
“This tournament is forever growing and in such a way that it has popularised the entire Nkomazi subregion as leading in grassroots soccer.
What we are witnessing in the field of play and the seriousness and level of professionalism displayed by soccer teams only tells you just how much the beautiful game has grown here,” said TSB’s Vusi Khoza.
“You know there aren’t many resources and things to do around here, so the Selati Cup has created a platform for local people to come together and socialise while they are being entertained by local talent on the football field,” continued Khoza.
He said there was a much bigger objective behind these games than just entertainment on and off the pitch.
“These games have attracted the attention of the country’s top soccer scouts who come here to look for fresh and new talent and our children then get opportunities to play in the PSL, NFD and the second-division promotional league.
“Also there is your economic aspect to it as it enables members of the community to do business so they are able to feed their families,” he concluded.
The first game kicks-off at 12:00.
