Teams gear up for Discovery Challenge

The annual Walter Sisulu Discovery Challenge is back again with more play time for township teams.

This exciting soccer extravaganza is set to take place on December 1 at the imposing Nike Training Centre in Klipspruit.

The tournament will be playing for the 12th successive year and according to Soweto Football Association chief executive officer, Phil Mogodi this competition has grown to be bigger and better than the previous years as more teams have joined in.

He said this tourney used to cater for 32 teams and this year 56 teams will be taking part in this lucrative competition.

“We worked hard for the past 12 years to make this tournament one of the biggest in Soweto and are still doing our best to promote soccer, develop youngsters from grassroots and keep them away from loitering throughout the December holidays.

“The improvement of this competition has seen some of the Premier Soccer League teams taking part including Kaizer Chiefs, Moroka Swallows, Bidvest Wits and Orlando Pirates,” said Mogodi.

He said the tournament will once again be an excellent platform for young players to develop their soccer talent and it will create a great opportunity for Soweto community to enjoy a great deal of talent that is on their door step.

The tournament has produced professional players such as Ajax Amsterdam’s Thulani Serero, Oupa Manyisa and Sfiso Myeni, both from Orlando Pirates and Edward Manqele of Chippa United.

The finals will be played on December 28 and overall champions will take home a R70 000 handsome cheque.

The competition will cater for the U17 and ladies teams as well.