The last of annual festive season football tournaments which are played throughout the country, KwaMahlobo Games, has finally finished. The games, which were held in Meadowlands in Soweto this year, ended on Saturday night.
Over the years, these events unearthed the cream of the crop of local football talent and this year’s participants are hoping to follow in those footsteps.
The inclement weather on the last day of the annual KwaMahlobo Games did not deter the spirit of the football faithful. As per the norm, they came out in their droves to watch the final match of the 23rd edition.
Three years ago, LaLiga Africa came on board to be part of the tournament. This year, the tournament was able to offer different age-group categories and include both male and female players.
Director of LaLiga Africa, Antonio Barradas says that the games are good for children and people of Soweto.
“This is really fantastic for thousands of kids. This is the game that is really for the children and the people of Soweto, this is something beautiful. When we started three years ago, we had little people, as you see now this is an outing, this is LaLiga. LaLiga is not just football, it’s what we are doing, what we are doing here in Soweto, South Africa and LaLiga is here to stay.”
This edition started on 19 December 2018 with Group stage matches, with The Knockout stages commenced shortly after Christmas. Culminating in the finals, which took place 5 January, the organisers could not be happier with how things panned out.
Patrick Dlongolo Ntenjwa, founder and organiser of the games, says that quality football was on display.
“No incidents no nothing, but quality football has been played. What we are happy about is the behaviour of the spectators and also the players for the quality football dished out. Come next year, we are still going to bring another edition of KwaMahlobo games.”
Some of the players who participate in this tournament could be given a chance to showcase their talent in Europe.
Barradas says LaLiga is fascinated by the old-style football when matches were played on dusty grounds with no barriers between the field and the fans.
“This is like 50 years ago where there is no security, where people just come in and enjoy the game. It’s a different thing altogether. In last three years, it’s beautiful. Another thing, next year we will bring some scouts from Spain and i hope they take two or three people from these games and they will have a chance in Spain, that one thing I promise for next year, we will do it.”
two hundred and thirty goals were scored in the 95 matches throughout the tournament.
Mathaithai FC goalkeeper, Sibusiso Mavoja, walked away with the Best Goalkeeper and Player of the Tournament accolades.
At the final whistle, the fans took to the field in jubilation.
Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Faith Mazibuko, as well as Banyana Banyana striker Thembi Kgatlana, handed out some medals at the end of the event. Mathaithai were crowned champions of the 2018-2019 KwaMahlobo Festive Games after beating Snake Park Chillers 1-0 in the final.
Mathaithai are 2018/19 KwaMahlobo champions https://t.co/klLrue88ep via @SAFA_net #LaLiga #KwaMahlobogames #kasifootball #LaLigainSA @SAFA_net #footballdevelopment @KwamahloboG
— SAFA.net (@SAFA_net) January 6, 2019
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