Soccer talent at Mayoral Cup

Teenage soccer players showed what they’re made of at the Joburg Mayoral Cup, which was won by Kaizer Chiefs boys development team and Orange Farm girls.
YOUNG footballers played their hearts out, their minds focused on lifting the Joburg Mayoral Cup at the end of it all, at a daylong soccer tournament.

Kaizer Chiefs development team beat Rand Central to win the men's trophyKaizer Chiefs development team beat Rand Central to win the men's trophyThe annual tournament was held at the Nike Football Centre in Pimville, Soweto on Saturday, 10 September. Under the banner of the Safa Joburg Local Football Association, 17 boys and 15 girls teams competed in the tournament, which had the theme “Stars of today, legends of tomorrow”.

The Mayoral Cup is a City of Johannesburg initiative.

Out on the grandstands fans came all out to cheer for the teams. With mother nature coming to the party, supporters were able to sit back and enjoy a soccer fiesta.

Executive Mayor Parks Tau is a fan of the beautiful game. Speaking from the touchline, he said the Joburg Mayoral Cup was an opportunity for youngster to expose their talents, cultivate the culture of sport in the townships and foster social cohesion.

On the field, Kaizer Chiefs development team were a better side, beating the technically disciplined and well-composed Rand Central boys in the finals by the slightest of margins. The game ended 1-0, with the winners proudly lifting the crystal trophy.

Chiefs goal came in the dying minutes of the first half from the 15-year-old Kgotso Malope. Known to fans and teammates as Mshini, Kgotso maintained a strong performance throughout the tournament.

Amakhosi could have easily wrapped up the game in the opening matches, but credit must be given to Rand Central’s 14-year-old goalkeeper, Justin Geach, who pulled great saves to keep his team’s hopes alive.

Executive mayor Parks Tau was there to cheer the players onExecutive mayor Parks Tau was there to cheer the players onOn the girls’ side, the Orange Farm girls from the first whistle showed the hunger and attitude of champions. In the final match, they dished out a 5-0 drubbing to the Rand Central girls team, which were under pressure the entire game.

Goals came from all over the field. To net the first goal for Orange Farm, was 13-year-old Kgakgamatso Montewa, the shortest player on the field and one of rare talent. Fans cheered every time she had the ball.

Another force was 14-year-old Chabatsane Mathakadi, a natural goal scorer whose future in football is without a doubt bright. She scored a cracker from range minutes into the second half.

Victory was sealed and delivered for the Orange Farm girls when 13-year-old Tshepiso Letsoane netted the third goal; the fourth came from 15-year-old Tumi Olifant and Dikeledi Mathebula, 13 years old, hammered the final nail into the opposition‘s coffin.

Both boys and girls teams from Rand Central were the runners-ups, and received silver medals. The Rand Central boys side snatched a 2-1 victory from Soweto boys in the semi-finals in 1-0 victory. The girls’ team stopped Alex from proceeding to the finals; their game ended 2-0.

Other teams that played included Eldorado Park, Roodepoort, Soweto, Greater Mayfair, Alexandra, North Rand and Midrand. In total, 600 youngsters competed.