Hot Boys FC from Mitchells Plain crushed Young Tigers FC from Phola Park three goals to one in a Rainbow Soccer Tournament held at the Vuyiseka Sport Complex last Sunday.
About 30 teams from different areas participated in the tournament, which started on Friday 11 January and will run until Sunday 3 February.
Some of the teams taking part come from Lower Crossroads, Phola Park, Marcus Garvey, Better Life, Bellville, Mitchells Plain, Mfuleni and Brown’s Farm.
Hot Boys coach Shafiek Holtman heaped praise on his boys for displaying good football.
He said he believed that they will be the eventual winners of the tournament.
“We had a good game. My boys showed good character and managed to keep the ball well. And I believe we will reach the finals and take the trophy,” said Holtman.
He also praised the good facilities at the complex, but lambasted the officials for poor officiating.
“... I think the standard of referees and assistant referees need to be improved. They made a lot of errors and that kills the game,” he said. One of the organisers of the tournament Brian Matiwane said the aim is to unite and build friendship with other football associations in the metro.
“Sport is a universal language that can bring people from different background together. And this is not only about soccer, we can be able to learn about each others’ culture,”said Matiwane.
He said the tournament, the first of its kind in the area, has the potential to be an annual tournament.
“We divided the teams into 15, with others playing at Vuyiseka, while the other 15 teams play at the Brown’s Farm soccer stadium in Philippi.
Evening games are played at Brown’s Farm as there is no lighting in Vuyiseka,” he said, adding that the winner will walk away with the trophy, medals and R5000 cash prize. The runner up receives R3000 in cash.