Thrilling grassroots soccer fixtures promise great action

The draw for the third annual Solly Malatsi Legacy (SML) football tournament took place at Morutwa Secondary School in Ga-Dikgale on Sunday where representatives of the 16 competing teams met to find out who their opponents are.
The room where the draw was conducted by tourney organisers, Solly Malatsi and Maredi Mochitele was filled with excitement as every coach was hoping to avoid their hoodoo teams in the first round of the tournament which is scheduled to kick-off at Madiga Junior Chiefs Sport Grounds next Saturday. The draw resulted in exciting fixtures which promise to add to the spectacle of the tournament. As is often the case with football tourneys, rivalries will be renewed between old foes and new teams will aim to leave their mark in this prestigious grassroots competition.
Malatsi stated that “The draw is a football dream come true to us as the organisers of the tournament. It has derbies such as Tau-Tau Football Club against Mankga Junior Chiefs who played each other in last year’s quarter-final which was won by Mankga.”
He further reckoned that Tau-Tau would want to seek revenge, adding that the defending champions Nobody Double Class will lock horns against Makotopong Giant Aces, always a strong contender in the local tournaments.
However, Double Class coach Charles Mogale is confident that his side will successfully defend the trophy. He said they have reinforced the team with three best performing players and predicted that they will beat Giant Aces 2-0 to proceed to the quarter finals.
Mogale praised the organisers for coming up with such an initiative, adding that the structure matches that of professional soccer tournaments.
Tjale Yellow Tigers, the runner-up last year, have a tough assignment against local side Mahlallane Peace Lovers who are hoping to turn around their fortunes following a difficult year. The hosts, Madiga Junior Chiefs will be aiming to do better than last year when they were knocked out in the first round. Tournament novices Makeketela Liverpool, Heroes and Makakanka will also want to leave their mark.

Story, photos and videos: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za