Teams gear up for battle of Selati Cup

Speaking at the tournament’s official launch and draw on Tuesday
evening at the TSB Crocodile Lapa, its corporate affairs general manager, Mr Vusi Khoza said, “The trophy is for any team’s taking, and is not for a selected few, but for anyone who desires to take it.
“We have seven champion teams that have previously won the cup. They are also here today, hoping to win this trophy once again. I have been told that the rule of the Selati is that it never happens that you win twice, however, this is a new year so we don’t know what it holds for us. We shall see when we play the games and get to June 29. But until then it is anybody’s for the taking. If you wish to do so, we will see you on the soccer field.”
Khoza continued to thank and acknowledge all partners and stakeholders who made this tournament possible, saying without their support and
input, TSB wouldn’t be able to host it.
Khoza welcomed all 128 teams saying, “I congratulate you on making it into the Selati Cup. This is an important step that will take you to glory. The first step was that of entering and now it is the time to take this challenge and run with it until the end.”
Reigning TSB Selati Cup champions, Mlambo Royal Cubs (Mlambo RC) will look forward to defending their title.
Mlambo RC were successfully voted into second place with an astonishing
11 024 votes, behind the most-voted team, Sambo Block B United.
According to TSB’s Kenneth Phiri, all 128 squads will battle it out every weekend, knocking one another out of the tourney as of March 23, for a
spot in the final on June 29.
“As from this Sunday all 128 teams will compete for a place in the last 32, knocking one another out of the game. On the day of the kick-off, we will stage four matches at Driekoppies Stadium, and from there every weekend 16 matches will be played each day as teams fight for their spot in the last 32. We will have games at different community stadiums, which
have been approved by the South African Football Association (Safa). They are currently being used in the SAB league, and meet the standards set by Safa in order for a stadium to host a game,” explained Phiri.