ANC donates soccer kit to players

Soccer players of 16 teams showed their passion for the sport with some eye-catching displays of skills at the ANC Youth Soccer Tournament in Emjindini on June 16.

The inaugural tournament saw some of the best local youth soccer teams in action. Tough battles on the dusty Phase-II sports grounds together with the jubilant chants of spectators cheering for their teams, created a lively atmosphere on the day. 

True to tradition that community football provides entertainment for township residents, this was no different as the brand of soccer that was played on the day was different to that of the professional league.
The fans cheered and laughed as skilled players sold a dummy to bewildered opponents. Every dummy invited whistles of approval and shouts of adoration from the spectators, who crammed around the pitch.

Teka-Teka narrowly defeated Space Rocket by 1-0 to win the floating trophy. Sonic Mathenjwa scored the solitary goal early in the first half. Teka-Teka had booked their place into the final after defeating Sheba Masters 2-1 while Rocket advance after thrashing JP Stars 4-3 in the lottery penalty shoot-out. The game had ended deadlocked 2-all in regulation time.

For their effort Teka-Teka walked away with a floating trophy, gold medals, R1 000 in cash and a soccer kit.
The runners-up, Space Rockets, received silver medals, R500 in cash and a soccer kit. The semi-final losers – JP Stars and Sheba Masters – including the quarter-final losers – all received soccer kit.
The quarter-final losers were Ratanang, Sheba United, Lomshiyo United and FC Status.

Pat Magagula, ANC Umjindi subregion chairman said the symbolic handing over of the football equipments was but one of their contributions to the development of football in Umjindi.
He promised that they would make the tournament an annual event.