Mayor’s soccer tournament a hit
Mogale City football fans came in droves to cheer on their favourite teams in the Mogale City Mayoral Soccer Tournament over the Easter break.
The Mogale City Mayoral Soccer Tournament proved a great success, with Munsieville Stars and Young United being crowned seven-times champions.
The two teams stepped onto the podium after beating Nico Taurus and Tornado respectively during the four-day tournament at the Munsieville Sports Complex over the Easter holidays. Munsieville Stars defeated Nico Taurus 3-0 in the lively senior finals.
Stars pocketed the R30 000 prize purse, while Nico reclaimed R15 000 for their mastery on the field. In the under-17 division Young United increased their bank balance by R4 000 after a nail-biting penalty shootout against Tornado, which ended 5-4.
In the masters section Swanieville played Rietvallei 2 and 3 in a grudge match. The two teams from the same area battled for turf with Swanieville emerging victorious by three goals to nil.
The tournament attracted more than 40 teams in the under-17, seniors and masters section. The annual tournament, which was started in 2008, is the brainchild of Mogale City Executive Mayor Koketso Calvin Seerane. It forms part of the mayor’s social responsibility programme and aims to identify talent in Mogale City communities.
The tournament is also in line with the municipality’s Integrated Development Programme (IDP) and the provincial strategy on mass participation. It aims to promote healthy lifestyles and socialisation for young people.
The tournament highlight was the memorial exhibition game between Vaal Masters and West Rand Legends. Before kick-off the teams and spectators observed a moment of silence in memory of the late Neil Jansen, a Vaal Professionals Football Club player who died during a game at the same sports complex last month.
West Rand Legends, coached by former Benoni United and Kaizer Chiefs striker, Kenneth The Horse Mokgojoa, won the game 4 -2 with two goals from former Mmabatho Kicks player Oscar Mutomane, while Matlhomola Ntshabele and Gilbert Gule scored a goal each.
Pitso Gatlane, Giya Mokheli and former Moroka Swallows midfielder Papi Mbele scored for the visitors.
Geelboy Gomma Gomma Masango, who troubled many strikers during his heyday at Blackpool, was impressed with the tournament. “We are impressed by how Mogale City has put together such a great tournament to develop young boys,” he says.
