Baroka, Black Leopards in Lim legacy tourney

The inaugural Limpopo Soccer Legacy Spectacular event is scheduled for Sunday at Giyani Stadium and Black Leopards Football Club and Baroka Football Club will use the opportunity to unveil their new players to their supporters. The tournament will also feature National First Division (NFD) outfit Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila and Ndengeza Football Club which is campaigning in the ABC Motsepe League.
Confirmed fixtures will see Leopards play Ndengeza at 10:00. This will be followed by Baroka against Tshakhuma at 12:00 and the final at 15:00.
Speaking at the tournament‘s press briefing in Polokwane last Friday, tournament organiser, Tshilidzi Musingadi said this would be the first time in many years that top flight football is played in Giyani. “We could have taken the tourney elsewhere but we decided on Giyani because people in that area love football. We are looking forward to this magnificent event and we want to thank the participating teams for helping us to bring football to the Mopani district and the greater Limpopo community,” Musingadi said.
He added that the event will also commemorate Mandela Month will all four teams taking part in community service activities around Giyani today (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday).
Chief Executive Officer of Baroka Football Club, Morgan Mammila said they are excited to be part of the tournament. “We use the tourney as part of our preparations for the upcoming Premier Soccer League season. We have a new coach and some exciting new signings that we will be showcasing. Hopefully this will start things off by winning this cup,” Mammila said. Head Coach of Black Leopards, Joel Masutha said they will be using the spectacular to try new combinations and also give new players an opportunity to play with some of the old members of the team. “We are happy to be part of the tournament and we can’t wait for Sunday,” Masutha said.
For Tshakuma and Ndengeza, it is a dream match-up against their more prominent brothers, as they look to climb out from the NFD and ABC Motsepe leagues, respectively.
Tshakuma captain, Tshepo Makgoga said the tournament will be platform for them to test themselves against the biggest teams in the province. “We have a fresh squad this season after our first campaign in the NFD where we finished fifth. We are definitely aiming at improving ourselves and this is the perfect step,” Makgoga said.
Tickets for tourney are sold at Computicket and Shoprite and Checkers retail outlets at R50, open stands and R60, grand stands each.

Story and photos: Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert.observer@gmail.com