Gunners lift Philly’s trophy

GUNNERS FC was crowned the winners of the Philly’s Games Back to School Easter soccer tournament after beating Great North FC 2-1.

The tournament was held for four days over the Easter weekend in various venues in Polokwane, where eight teams competed in the u/15 category, 16 teams in the u/17 and 16 teams in the senior category.

Gunners proceeded to the finals after beating Romans FC with penalty shoot-outs, while Great North FC won the semi-finals with penalty shoot-outs against Saints FC.

Cameron Mathebula, one of the organisers said the Philly’s Games originally started in Tembisa. “We realised that many professional soccer players are from Limpopo and decided to bring the games to the province to give aspiring soccer players exposure. The tournament went well and it will be hosted every year in Polokwane during the Easter holidays,” he said.

Mathebula added that the tournament would also accommodate women’s soccer and netball teams next year.

According to Philly Mathebula, the founder of the tournament, the money raised during the tournament would assist young people with bursaries, school fees, stationery and school uniforms. He said he planned to open a soccer academy in Limpopo that would accommodate 200 players at first.

Mark Latrobe from Enviro-loo said the company contributed more than R300 000 to the tournament. “We are keen to assist young children by and giving back to the community so we are doing it through sport. Sport and studies go hand in hand,” said Latrobe.