Enkululekweni Primary, Black Vultures are MOFA Zonke Build It u/13 champions
ALL roads led to Motherwell NU 9 Stadium where the Motherwell Football Association, in partnership with Zonke Build It, organised a successful u/13 soccer and u/13 netball tournament on Saturday.
Initially, the draws took place at Motherwell Zonke Spar on Friday.
The soccer teams competing were Tomorrow Stars, Enkululekweni Primary, Real Strikers, Empumalanga Primary, Black Vultures, Elufefeni Primary, Channel Porto, Young Madrid, Shining Stars, Siyaphambili Primary, Juventus, Coega Primary, Young Romans, Dumani Primary, Royal Bucks and Melisizwe Primary.
The netball teams competing were Young Romans, Siyaphambili Primary, Tomorrow Stars, Black Vultures, Empumalanga Primary, Shining Stars, Eleven Stars and Zanoxolo Primary.
The tournament started with a round-robin format and ended in a knockout. The soccer teams were divided into four groups, while the netball teams were divided into two. Black Vultures easily claimed a 12–6 win over Siyaphambili Primary in the finals.
In the soccer semi-finals, Enkululekweni Primary won after their opponents Porto – who had defeated them 3–0 – were disqualified for fielding an improperly registered player. Royal Bucks eliminated Juventus 1–0 in their semi-final.
In the finals, Enkululekweni Primary overcame Royals Bucks 3–0, with Imange Qondani banging in the opening goal in the first half, and Sithenkosi Sikhotha scoring a brace in the second half.
The winning teams received trophies, bibs, sports bags, and gold medals, while the runners-up settled for silver medals. All the teams that participated received a ball each.
Special awards:
Netball: Milani Fukweni (Black Vultures)
Soccer: Sithenkosi Sikhotha (Enkululekweni Primary)
Park United Reserves, Helenvale United are NAFA Valentine Brink Cup champions
PARK United and Helenvale United lifted the Northern Areas Football Association (NAFA) Fain Valentine Brink Premier Reserves and Premier Cups respectively, at Gelvan Turf on Sunday.
In the first semi-final, Fairdene advanced to the finals after they eliminated Glenville Celtic 5–4 following a goalless full-time score. In the last semi-final, Park United edged out Saints 2–0. Park United, known as U-Us, claimed a 3–2 victory over Fairdene in the finals.
Helenvale United supporters saw their side register a close 4–3 triumph over Hotspurs during their scintillating semi-final. Park United claimed a 4–3 victory on penalties over West Lake after a 1–1 full-time draw.
In the finals, Helenvale supporters saw their side’s dreams become a reality as they defeated United 6–5 in sudden death, after a final 1–1 full-time draw.
The winning teams received a floating trophy and 21 brand new Fain tracksuits, and the runners-up went home with a new Fain kit.
NAFA former president, Valentine Brink, was extremely happy.
“The tournament is well-organised and the job is well done by the teams,” said Brink.
Helenvale head coach, Lee Meyer, did a great job to uplift the standard of the community of Katanga.
“I am very happy about our victory. We worked very hard to achieve our victory. The team was ready for the tournament. It was not easy, but our boys managed to win the tournament,” said Meyer.
ZAFA Premier League games attract large crowds
DESPITE the hot weather conditions, crowds arrived in droves to watch Zakhele Football Association (ZAFA) games at Dynamos and Eleven Angels Grounds on Saturday.
Dynamos Grounds was action-packed, as three games were played.
Stone Breakers struggled to accumulate the three league points in their 2–0 victory over Island City, who fought to avoid relegation to the First Division League.
Swartkops FC were unlucky when they saw their dreams shatter when they succumbed 2–1 to the hosts, Dynamos, during their clash at Dynamos Grounds. It was an uphill battle when United Comrades shared a 1–1 draw with Golden Brothers.
Despite their 1–0 loss, Royal Blues put up a good fight to Seven United during their game that they played at Eleven Angels Grounds. Charge United dug deep to secure a hard-fought 1–0 victory over ZAFA Premier League rookies, Young Boys.
Eleven Angels managed to edge out Young Neighbours 2–0 at their home turf, which is Eleven Angels Grounds. Black Eagles had a bye.
