Sixteen teams from around the Vhembe district are gearing up for the Vhanasi Soccer Tournament. The tournament was officially launched during a ceremony held at the Divine Oasis Christian Centre Church building in Sambandou village last Saturday.
When delivering the keynote address, the sponsor of the tournament, Mr Mmbi Munasi, said that this year's winning teams would receive some fabulous prizes. The champions will receive R30 000, a floating trophy, gold medals, two soccer balls and a soccer kit. The second-placed side will go home with R15 000, silver medals, a soccer kit and two soccer balls. A cash prize of R7 000, bronze medals and two soccer balls are awaiting the team that ends third, and the fourth-placed team will receive R3 000 and two soccer balls.
During the ceremony, a representative from the Safa Vhembe Regional Association, Mr Ephraim Singo, appealed to the organisers and sponsor of the tournament to consider the inclusion of ladies' soccer teams in their future tournaments.
The draws for the last-16 round matches were conducted during the ceremony. All matches will be played at the Sambandou United Professionals Grounds. Four matches will be played on Tuesday, 27 December. The same number of matches will be played the following day.
The fixtures for the first day are Makuya Try Again vs Thengwe Flying Peace, Gondeni Big Cat vs Musasenda Big Five, SMSA vs Ngwenani Young Chiefs and Phaphama FC vs Dipeni FC. The fixtures for the 28th are Matangari High Aims vs Tswera Hot Chilies, Mavunde Hungry Vultures vs Madridtas FC, Anel Real Vikings vs Mashamba Soccer Academy and Sambandou United Professionals vs Berea FC.
Mashamba Soccer Academy are the defending champions. They beat Madridtas FC 1-0 in the final last year.