This weekend marks the start of the Thovhele NTL Mashamba Soccer Tournament. Thirty-two teams from around Vhembe do battle for the R50,000 first prize this year.
The matches will be decided at the Mashamba Post Office Grounds and the Mashamba Soccer Academy Grounds. Eight matches will be played on Saturday, with another batch of eight matches scheduled for Sunday.
Saturday's fixtures at the Academy Grounds start at 09:00 with the match between Muwaweni Lucky Stars and VCVF Vleifontein. TRT Football Academy and Mashau Pull Together will follow at 11:00. Rams Football Academy will lock horns with Tshivhazwaulu Peace Makers shortly after midday. The day's programme will conclude with the match between Koki FC and Berea FC.
The opening match at the Post Office Grounds will be between Masakona Young Tigers and Gogo Record Breakers FC at 09:00, followed by the fixture between ABC FC and Makulana Green Dreams. Tshakhuma RO United and Chavani United will test each other's strength from 13:00. The last match will be between SDA Limpopo and Mukondeni Young Chiefs.
Sunday's fixtures at the Soccer Academy Grounds are Masakona Real Citizens vs Team Swiswi, Makhitha Oscar Stars vs Bokisi Scientists, Tshivhuyuni Green Rovers vs Mashamba Soccer Academy, and Mukondeni Shooting Stars vs Bush River.
The four matches that will be played at the Post Office Grounds on Sunday are Seven United Brothers vs Madadzhi Ever Smiling, Shayandima Dynamos vs Madombidzha Try Again, Mashamba Benfica United vs Madadzhi MPFA, and Malamulele Royal Classic vs FC Rellen.
According to the secretary of the organizing committee, Mr. Nathaniel Mushaku, the champions will take home R50,000, a floating trophy, gold medals, and two sets of soccer kits. The runners-up will receive R25,000, silver medals, and two sets of soccer kits. R15,000, a soccer kit, and bronze medals await the team that finishes in third place, while the fourth-placed side will go home with R10,000 and a soccer kit. Teams that are eliminated in the quarter-final round will each receive R1,000.