Mnaka Mining Cup finals take place

According to the head of the Springs Local Football Association (SLFA) technical committee, Mkhonzana Mkhonza, the tournament kicked off in October.

“This tournament puts together all our age groups including our u/11, u/13, u/15, u/17 and u/19 teams.

“It was done with the intention of helping us align with other local football associations as our league used to be from August to May, while other associations started in January.

“So as of next year we can also start in January and stop before the schools’ final exams so we don’t interfere with the children’s exams.

“The tournament has been great preparation for the league which will then start next month,” he says.

Read: Teams invited to join the SLFA

The tournament will from here on be an annual event for the teams, hence more businesses are invited to come on board.

Chairman of the SLFA, Joseph Makuwa, adds that they are very grateful for the sponsorship.

“When the director of Mnaka Mining, Veli Nkosi, came to register his team for the SAB League, we were pleased because we had been trying to get sponsors for quite some time and grabbed this opportunity.

“He then committed to help us with the tournament and we were very excited.

“Even the teams are happy as this is a different experience and something they can look forward to annually,” he says.

Read: SLFA games at the KwaThema Sports Complex

All the finals of the different age groups will take place this Saturday at the KwaThema Stadium and will start from 9am.

Parents are therefore encouraged to go and support their children.

Nkosi says he came on board because he shared the sentiments of the executive, of not wanting the children to just sit waiting for the league to only start in January.

“I made a plan to help sponsor the trophies and medals.

“I was born and bred in KwaThema and know what these games mean to the young people, so this is my way of giving back,” he says.