The fixtures of the 10th edition of the Nedbank Cup have been confirmed and football lovers are to witness Premier Soccer League (PSL) teams going head to head on equal playing fields with second and third row teams.
Local teams such as Baroka FC rose from being an unknown third level side and beat Soweto giants, Kaizer Chiefs in 2011 and continued to rise year after year to a point where they made it to the semi-finals last year and are currently playing in the PSL.
This tournament guarantees the winner entry to the continental CAF Confederations Cup.
With the prize money of R7 million and a guaranteed R100 000 for the lower league teams that qualify for the last 32, the tournament not only provides the much needed funding for some of the struggling sides but it inspires players by giving them a chance to show their talent and gain valuable football experience.
“The tournament celebrates a successful partnership with the PSL, The Sports Trust, football fans, our clients and communities. “We hope that it demonstrates our purpose of using our financial expertise to do good for individuals, families, businesses and the communities,” said Thulani Sibeko of Nedbank.
PSL’s acting chief executive, Mato Madlala said the last 10 years have brought the PSL and Nedbank closer and they would like to believe that this has been a mutually benefiting relationship.
“At the heart of the tournament is the desire to give opportunities to aspiring individuals from amateur clubs to show their talent and change their lives,” said Madlala.
The competition has a sports developmental arm through the Nedbank Cup Ke Yona Team Search, which has gone across the country and unearthed more than fifteen professional footballers among them being Aubrey Modiba who is now the reigning PSL young player of the season.
Entries for the 2017 Ke Yona Team search try-outs is open and to register, individuals can dial *120*539662#.
Watch:Â Video below of the 2016 Ke Yona Team Search Episode 1
