Sixteen teams from around Vhembe District are gearing up for the 6th edition of the Vhanasi Annual Soccer Tournament. The tournament was officially launched during a ceremony at the Tshitavha DOCC Church building last Saturday.
Teams that will take part in this year's event are: Sambandou Seven Hunters, Sambandou United Profession, Gondeni Big Cat, Mahunguwi Green Mambas, Tshilavulu Elite, Tshwera Hot Chillies, Mudagasini FC, Matovha Devoted Stars, Tshanzhe Pre-Mighty, Phaphama All Stars, Luvhimbi Western Stars, Berea FC, Shadani Dangerous Scorpions, Mavunde Hungry Vultures, Mashamba Soccer Academy and Dipeni FC.
During the ceremony, the sponsor of the tournament, Mr Mmbi Munasi, revealed that this year's tournament will be the biggest ever in terms of the number of participating teams and the prizes at stake. This year's champions will take home R12 000, a soccer kit, gold medals and a soccer ball. The runners-up will receive R6 000, a soccer kit, silver medals and a soccer ball. A cash prize of R3 000, bronze medals and a soccer ball are awaiting the team that will finish in the third spot. The team that will obtain the fourth position will receive R1 500 and a soccer ball.
Individual prizes will be presented to the best player of the tournament, best coach, best midfielder, top goal scorer, best defender, best goalkeeper, most disciplined team and the player who will score the most awesome goal in the tournament.
The toss for the last 16 matches was conducted during the ceremony. The fixtures for the last 16 matches are: Tshwera Hot Chillies vs Luvhimbi Western Stars, Tshilavulu Elite vs Matovha Devoted Stars, Mashamba Soccer Academy vs Shadani Dangerous Scorpions, Sambandou United Professionals vs Phaphama All Stars, Berea FC vs Tshanzhe Pre-Mighty, Dipeni FC vs Mavunde Hungry Vultures, Gondeni Big Cat vs Sambandou Seven Hunters and Mudagasini FC vs Mahunguwi Green Mambas.
The opening matches will be played on Friday, 21 December, while the semi-finals and final are scheduled for Tuesday, 31 December. All matches will be played at the Sambandou United Professionals grounds. Sambandou United Professionals are the defending champions.