This year’s edition of the Talelani Liguluvhe Easter Soccer Tournament will be the biggest local tournament yet in terms of sponsorship.
All 32 teams from around Vhembe competing in the tournament will receive a soccer kit. This applies to teams affiliated with the SAFA Vhembe Regional and Makhado Local Football League. The tournament, with free entry, will take place from 3 to 26 April, with games played at the Ramantsha grounds.
The chairperson of the organising committee, Peter Nematandani, said this year’s champions would take home R70,000, a floating trophy, three sets of soccer kits, gold medals, and a soccer ball. The runners-up will receive R30,000, three sets of soccer kits, silver medals, a trophy, and a soccer ball. The third-place winners will get R10,000, bronze medals, and two soccer kits, while the team finishing fourth will receive R7,000 and two soccer kits.
Nematandani said the tournament is celebrating its third anniversary this year. It was founded in 2024 with only 16 teams taking part. That number has now grown to 32. Some of the new teams participating for the first time include Tshakhuma Tron, ABC FC, Tshitavha Brave Lion, Sambandou United Professional, Mukondeni Royal, Madombidzha Try Again, Kwana FC, and Makonde FC.
The launch and toss will be held on 7 March at Munau Primary School in Ramantsha, starting at 09:00.