The 16 teams that will participate in the Lumveleni Easter Soccer Tournament were announced during the launch ceremony at the Lumveleni Restaurant last Saturday. The tournament will be staged at the Ngudza Grounds over the Easter weekend.
During the ceremony, the tournament director, Mr Lloyd Mashapha, appealed to both the club officials and players to display good conduct throughout the tournament. He emphasised that any form of misconduct would not be tolerated as it had the potential to bring the sponsors' name into disrepute.
This year's champions will become R15,000 richer, in addition to receiving gold medals, a floating trophy, a soccer kit, and a soccer ball. The team finishing in second place will walk away with R8,000, silver medals, a soccer kit, and a soccer ball. Teams finishing in third and fourth place will receive R5,000 and R3,000, respectively. Teams eliminated in the quarterfinals will each be presented with a consolation prize of a soccer ball.
Some of the opening matches expected to be crowd-pullers include the one between Ngwenani Young Chiefs and Ngudza Young Vultures, as well as the clash between Kwena FC and Rockers FC.
Other opening fixtures are: Tshikambe FC vs Tshitanini FC, Tshilavulu Elite vs Ndiitwani Shooting Stars, Tshivhulani Fire Brothers vs Lwamondo Mighty Brothers, Blue Birds vs Buluni Happy Boys, Mighty Super Power vs Shayandima Dynamos, and Thohoyandou Manchester Flying Stars vs Univen FC.