SAFA EC ABC Motsepe League results
THE last games of the year were played at different venues on Friday and Saturday. The Nelson Mandela Bay lads, Gqeberha United FC, registered a hard-earned 2-0 win over their neighbours Peace Makers FC during their Coastal Stream clash at Wolfson Stadium in Kwazakhele on Friday. Gqeberha goal-poacher Athule Libazi and their skilful left fullback, Xabiso Soldaat, each scored a goal. Seven Stars FC suffered their second defeat of the season after losing 1-0 to Emi FC in their Coastal Stream game at Komani on Saturday.
BCM side FC, Buffalo City Relatives, had to work hard for their narrow 2-1 victory over Bush Pirates FC in their thrilling Coastal Stream match at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane. Mayaya FC home supporters were over the moon after their side defeated Camdeboo Football Academy Development 4-1 in their Coastal Stream clash at Ngumbela Stadium in Butterworth.
Matta Milan FC was heartbroken after suffering a 1-0 home defeat to Amavarara FC at Ngumbela Stadium, while Mighty Eagles settled for a goalless draw when they welcomed Sinenkani FC in their Inland Stream game at Mthatha Stadium in Mthatha on Saturday as well.
According to SAFA EC acting provincial executive officer, Silelela Mtangayi, the Coastal Stream games will start on January 18, 2025, while the Inland Stream games begin on January 25, 2025.
NMB IFA League pulls down league season curtain
AFTER playing 22 league games per team, the Nelson Mandela Bay Industrial Football Association (NMB IFA) League finally brought their league season to a close on Sunday.
At Dana Fields, the hosts, Dana, treated their supporters to an early Christmas present by hammering Fomoco Ford 8-2 in a one-sided game. Sasko ended the season in grand style, securing a well-deserved 4-2 win over Forvia Port Elizabeth. In two other games, fans saw BKB lose on soft points to Forvia Port Elizabeth, while Fomoco Ford earned a convincing 3-0 triumph over Dairy Group.
The 2024 NMB IFA League champions are Tenneco with 62 league points, while BKB, with 16 points after playing 22 games, is at the bottom of the log table. The teams that will take part in the top 8 knockout competitions in 2025 are Tenneco, Continental, Durr Africa, Aspen, Dairy Group, Eberspacher, Sasko, and Willard Auto X.
NMB IFA president, Sello Mokhosi, thanked all the teams that participated in the 2024 NMB IFA season. Mokhosi highlighted that, through thick and thin, the teams remained steadfast from the start to the end of the season.
Mokhosi said, “First and foremost, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the authorities at Dana, Shatterprufe, and Despatch Rugby Stadium for allowing our games to take place on their fields. The referees also deserve mention as they did a magnificent job on the field of play.
“The teams, their technical staff, and fans also helped to improve the standard of the game. Our executive committee also worked hand in glove towards the success of our programmes this season. Our sponsor, Sanlam, helped us with great prizes. PE Express also continued to cover good stories about our games. Therefore, I wholeheartedly express my special thanks to PE Express correspondent, Selby Madikane.”
PE Comets Basketball Club honour players
IT was a great moment when the PE Comets Basketball Club honoured their outstanding athletes during their 2024 closing function held at Raymond Mhlaba Sports Centre in Motherwell NU 4 on Sunday.
Addressing the club members, PE Comets President Sibongile Fondini highlighted that the motive behind holding the function was to motivate their players who excelled during the league and tournaments played in the 2024 season. Fondini also stated that his players showed resilience and diligence throughout the season.
Fondini said, “We appreciate all the efforts and sacrifices made by all our players and officials to sustain the success of our club this year. Today, we celebrate the hard-fought successes we achieved this year, including winning the league, the NMB Mayoral Cup, and finishing third in the Eastern Cape Provincial League.”
According to Fondini, the PE Comets look forward to developing school basketball. Fondini stated that his club hosted a schools’ basketball tournament despite having very limited financial resources. The schools’ tournament aroused a great deal of interest among schools.
“We do not have adequate financial resources, but we do everything in our power to promote basketball. Our fundamental aim is to promote the game of basketball.”
The awards went to:
- Player of the Season: Lisakhanya Mxokozi
- Best Performance in the League: Asemahle Klaas
- Most Peak Player of the Season: Owam Tyandeka
- Most Improved Player of the Season: Emihle Jandela
- Most Disciplined Players of the Season: Simamkele Mngcongela and Dumisani Rumbu (second time in a row)
- Inductees: Lwando Cakwebe and Sandile Nkolonzi
New Brighton Football Academy holds tournament
NEW Brighton Football Academy (NBFA), in partnership with Extra Mile Funerals, will hold a tournament at New Brighton Oval Stadium, City Defenders Grounds, Dodgers Grounds, and Chevrolet Stadium on January 18, 19, 25, and 26.
According to NBFA chairman, Zolani Matiwana, the tournament is organised for boys’ soccer for the under 13s, under 15s, and under 18s, as well as senior girls. The tournament also includes netball competitions for under-13, under-16, and under-19 categories. The draw for the tournament will take place at Extra Mile Funerals Offices at 16:00.
Matiwana stated, “The theme for the tournament is ‘Building Character Using Sport as a Tool.’ As we speak, the crime rate is alarming in our communities, and the main culprits are the youth. We recognised the need to keep these kids busy by initiating this programme, as we believe that this tournament will help them refrain from engaging in criminal activities. Furthermore, a child involved in sport is a child out of court.”
Matiwana explained, “As Extra Mile Funerals celebrates their 10th anniversary in business, we will also be celebrating Black excellence in our community. Extra Mile Funerals’ Chief Executive Officer, Mncedi Javu, did not hesitate to sponsor our club to run this tournament for a good cause. We have secured a long-term contract with Extra Mile Funerals, and this will be our annual tournament. I thank Extra Mile Funerals for making a difference in our community.”
The tournament, which targets clubs from all over the Nelson Mandela Bay region, includes 16 soccer teams per division, eight teams for ladies’ soccer, and eight teams for netball per division. The tournament will start with a round-robin stage and conclude with a knockout stage for the top teams in each group.
Matiwana can be contacted at 096 755 6022.
