Alexandra will be represented by three teams in the festive season’s Philly’s Games which kick off in Thembisa on 16 December.
The final of the games, which has prize money of R200 000 for the winner will be held at the Makhulong Stadium on 30 December and will be beamed live on SuperSport.
The tournament has come a long way since its inception in 1992 when founder Philly Mathebula organised two teams to compete.
Bheki Zondo, one of the organisers of the games which now has 24 participating teams, said at the launch and draw at Midrand’s Shaguma Garden Café in Crowthorne that the losing semi-finalists, bronze and silver medalists would each get R30 000.
“We haven’t increased the prize money this time around but watch this space same time next year and we will surprise many with revised figures of the prize money purse,” Zondo said while wishing all the teams good luck.
Alex’s Chipolopolo FC, De Grandiose FC and Ezimnandi FC will form part of the participating teams, with De Grandiose having won the competition before while campaigning as Gomora FC.
Ezimnandi’s Tumelo Mokoena, who is vice-captain of the team mainly composed of players of Malandela Mighty Heroes that campaigns in the SAB League, said in an interview with Alex News that although the team had not done well in its previous two campaigns in the tournament they were looking forward to an improved performance this time around.
In their maiden participation in 2016, Mokoena, said they were knocked out in the first round and last year they went one better and made it into the last 16 of the tournament.
“This year we’re aiming high and hope to go all the way to eventually win the games’ championship as a festive season gift to our sponsor, Obert Phadi, whom we also regard as a father figure of the team,” he said.
“He has invested a lot in us and it’s high time we pay him back as well by winning the competition and show our gratitude, if not at least finishing in the semis.”
Phadi is an Alex businessman with a keen interest in developing the football skills of young people in the township and sponsoring Ezimnandi is just one of his corporate social investment projects in the community.
