The fourth edition of Simunye Cup kicks off this Sunday, 17 March 2019, and the finals will take place on 26 May 2019 at Rand Stadium.
This tournament fits into the City of Joburg’ social cohesion programme, which is meant to encourage individuals, communities and different nations to interact. It dispels the notion that the City is not welcoming to migrants.
Chairman of the African Diaspora Forum Dr Seraphin Kengne said it was just a matter of time before all the 54 African countries are registered to participate in Simunye Cup.
To date, the number of countries has increased from 22 to 28.
The tournament will be played at different soccer fields in the inner city on Sundays and public holidays.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Development Cllr Nonhlanhla Sifumba said Joburg should remain the city of opportunities for everyone.
“In its fourth edition, Simunye Cup continues to stand as a beacon of social cohesion and solidarity. It seeks to bring communities together. Joburg has always been a gateway city into the rest of the country and Africa.
“It is our goals as government to ensure that we welcome those who come to Joburg in search for leisure activities and opportunities with open arms. This administration is committed to revive the Innercity for it to be a place where people work and play, and potential is unlocked. Let it not be subverted by lawlessness and criminality.
“Executive Mayor Cllr Herman Mashaba has on numerous occasions pronounced that the City of Johannesburg does not have a problem with people of foreign nationalities but the city has a very serious problem with only those who are undocumented. Documentation brings protection and access to services that are so desperately needed,” said MMC Sifumba.
Coach Dadia Mahambi from Turffontein Turfboys said: “Before, I saw Tanzanians put a team together, but it is for the first time that I present a Tanzania Team from Turffontein. I am expecting to win because Wembley is my home ground. We wish everybody good luck and to play a fair game.”
Registered teams are from Togo, Uganda, Botswana, Cape Verde, Gabon, Lesotho, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Namibia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Cameroon, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Congo DRC, Congo Brazzaville, Tanzania, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Swaziland, Benin and Guinea Bissau.
