Zama Retailers and Total SA rock with oSizweni tourney

The festive season is known in many communities as an opportunity to make merry. Sometimes this merry making leads to wasting away.

This was the catalyst that led local businessman, Kobus Dippenaar and a group of his employees to begin the annual oSizweni Soccer Tournament in 2002.

Today the tournament is a massive affair with teams from around KwaZulu-Natal participating.

“My father began the tournament to bring the community together. It was born out of giving back to the community. Initially Zama Retailers had been the sole sponsor,” explained Jana Vorster.

Partnering with Total SA, Zama Retailers has managed to make a massive R125 000 worth in prizes available to the participating teams.

Unfortunately the contract between Total SA and the tournament expired last year.

“We managed to convince Total SA to sponsor the tournament for this year as well. If they pull out in the future we can still guarantee the community that the tournament will continue, as we are proud to be the name behind the tournament and we are committed to giving this wonderful event to the community,” continued Mrs Vorster.

The annual tournament is truly an amazing spectacle of football action, with players from around the province displaying the prowess on the ball.

In the finals on January 1 at the oSizweni Stadium Sofasonke FC played Zebra Force.

This game was one for the record books with each team going beyond what was expected to deliver a breathtaking game.

Sofasonke FC drew first blood by netting the first goal, but the determined Zebra Force continued to power on, and managed to push an equaliser past the stunned Sofasonker FC goalkeeper.

Battling out in mid-field but unable to to take the chances provided to them, the final whistle blew with the teams on a stalemate of one-all.

The game was decided in a penalty shoot-out, and the determined Sofasonke FC goalkeeper managed to thrust his team into the lead and to victory after some excellent goalkeeping.

The final score was one-one (four-two penalties) to Sofasonke FC.

Sofasonke FC walked away with the grand prize of R60 000, while runner-ups Zebra Force took home R30 000 and third placed United FC walked home with R20 000 and fourth placed Real Senzeni claimed a gracious R15 000.

“We would like to congratulate the teams and thank our sponsors, Total SA together with the organising committee Bonganie Nkosi, Ben Manana, Samora Nene, Kenneth Mnqayi, Sigidi Mathenjwa, Maxwell Mpungose for their immense help in getting the tournament together,” concluded Mrs Vorster.