LIMPOPO – After securing a 3-0 victory against Shivulani Tigers on Saturday, Jackson Young Stars FC ignited hope and excitement under Giyani soccer fans.

This impressive win had left the local community buzzing with anticipation as many now believe that Jackson Young Stars had the potential to represent them in the prestigious Nedbank Cup challenge.

The tournament, which brings together 32 of the best teams from across the country, is highly competitive, with PSL clubs fighting for the coveted top prize.

This tournament was previously open to the Premium Soccer League (PSL) teams only until recently when it was decided to allow teams from lower leagues to qualify for the tournament.

Currently, Mpheni Home Defenders are the champions of the Nedbank Cup on provincial level. Regional teams playing at lower levels must have one team qualify to face Mpheni in a match, where the winner will qualify to join the last 32 teams in the country competing in the Nedbank Cup tournament.

With their recent performance, Jackson Young Stars FC had positioned itself as a strong contender, raising expectations and uniting fans behind their journey to potentially showcase Giyani’s talent on a national stage.

However, all hopes were dashed the following day, on Sunday, when four teams competing in the Castle League met at Nkowankowa Stadium to determine which one of them would represent the district in the Nedbank Cup.

The first match of the day saw Phalaborwa United take on Mariveni FC in a one-sided affair, with Phalaborwa United securing a commanding 5-1 victory.

They dominated the game from the start, showcasing their attacking prowess and leaving Mariveni FC with little chance to respond.

Meanwhile, Jackson Young Stars FC faced off against Happy Boys FC in a much closer contest. The match was a thrilling back-and-forth encounter, with the Jackson Young Stars narrowly edging out a 3-2 victory, keeping their hopes alive.

However, in the final showdown, Jackson Young Stars FC went up against the formidable Phalaborwa United, and the outcome was not in their favour. Despite their best efforts, Jackson struggled to keep up with Phalaborwa’s relentless attack and ultimately fell 3-1.

This defeat dashed Jackson Young Stars FC’s dreams of advancing to the next stage, as Phalaborwa United emerged as the strongest team to represent the district.

Phalaborwa United will now face Mpheni Home Defenders on a date yet to be announced.

The winner of this match will secure a spot among the final 32 teams set to compete in the prestigious Nedbank Cup challenge.