Top 8 play-offs take place in Soweto
The tense encounter went to penalties resulting in Mndeni Masters securing the win with a 4-2 penalty score.
The Soweto Masters league playoffs left fans on the edge-of-their-seats, after a weekend of high contentious football clashes which set the tone for what promises to be smashing Semi-finals.
The tournament was established as a continuation of the SML league, with only teams that closed off the 2022/23 season in the top 8 competing against one another.
The quarter finals which played over the weekend at the Thulani Grounds saw the Zola Masters clinching the win against the Meadowlands Community Masters, as Mzeke and Ndumiso found the back of the net to win the match with a 2-0 defeat.
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In the second match, Glen Legends and Mndeni Masters came to a deadly lock, finishing in a 2-2 draw.
The tense encounter went to penalties resulting in Mndeni Masters securing the win with a 4-2 penalty score.
Meanwhile, a few kilometers from Zola, Matwepenene Masters led with a hard fought 2-1 win over Doornkop Masters, who were playing on home ground at the Emdeni Link grounds.
Bhumbars Masters lost their hopes of going into the next round as Glen Ridge Masters scored one goal in the second half, cementing their fate.
Qualifying teams, Zola Masters, Mndeni Masters, Matswepenene Masters and Glen Ridge Masters will play the semi-finals at the Protea EXT 4 Grounds behind Boxer on JULY 9.
The tournament winners will walk away with a soccer kit, medals and R1500 while the second rival will get silver medals and R1000. Third position winners will also take home medals and R700.
“We have in our midst ex professional players and some of the best guys so the quality of football here is always to a great standard. That is why this tournament has become a success with every season in our townships,” said Humphrey Tshaka from the Soweto Masters League.
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He urged supporters and football fanatics to come out in numbers and support local talent.
“We are excited to see the showdown in the coming weekend and we hope to see the soccer grounds packed, buzzing with spectators who are looking forward to witnessing township football.”
The semi-final games will kick off at 11:00.
