19 December 2018 – The annual 2018 KwaMahlobo Games have kicked off in earnest, with seven fixtures on Day 1.
Only one game was not played – between Meadowlands Juventus and Meadowlands Black Rangers after the latter failed to arrive as they had thought their match was later in the day. Juventus were awarded a 2-0 victory for the walk over.
Five clashes produced results with only one match ending in a 1-1 draw – between Meadowlands Rangers and Mambas F.C, which was the last fixture of the day.
The opening match saw Meadowlands All Stars beat Halftime Management 3 – 1. Then Westbury La Masia had no difficulty in defeating Overbility Academy 3-1, Meadowlands Harmony brushed aside BKM FC 2-0 while there were 1-0 wins for Meadowlands Professional and Mathaithai FC against Braamfischer City and Meadowlands Liverpool respectively.
The games continue on Thursday, 20 December with Galacticos opening the proceedings against Ngwato All Stars at 08h00.
Next up will be Lightening against Mzimhlophe Porto, followed by Umswenko vs Lamasia.
At midday, Sour Eleven will take on Gama United. Tshepisong AS will be next against A to Z, followed by Boys United FC vs Doornkop Students.
In the last fixture of the day Sugar Black Heroes will go toe to toe against Izinja ze Game at 16h00.
The KwaMahlobo Games started 22 years ago with only four teams involved in a bid to provide entertainment to the local community during the festive season.
Today the tournament boasts 40 male teams and four women’s sides, and it ranks among one of the biggest amateur community festive season competitions in the country, drawing huge crowds daily. Also gracing the occasion was the head coach of Amajita (the South African U20 Men’s National Team, Thabo Senong.
“Thanks again to the people of Meadowlands because this is one township in Soweto that has always produced quality players – like Arthur Zwane (ex-Kaizer Chiefs), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Supersport United), Sibusiso Vilakazi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Marks Maponyane (ex- Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates) and Godfrey Sapula (ex-Mamelodi Sundowns),” said Senong.
“I know we are still going to see other promising players. These games offer a lot of entertainment to the community during this time of the year, not only that, but also show the wealth of talent this country has. They play under difficult conditions, but the quality still comes out and this is what it is all about. Thanks to the organisers and their partners LaLiga and SAFA for providing this platform where gems are discovered.”
The tournament runs until Saturday, 5 January 2019.
Kwa-Mahlobo Festive Games
DAY 1 RESULTS:
Meadowlands All Stars 3 – 1 Halftime Management F.C
Meadowlands Juventus 2 – 0 Meadowlands Black Rangers (walk-over)
Westbury La – Masia 3 – 1 OverBility Academy
Meadowlands Harmony 2 – 0 B K M F. C
Meadowlands Professional 1 – 0 Braamfischer City
Mathaithai F.C 1 – 0 Meadowlands Lever Pool
Meadowlands Rangers 1 – 1 Mambas F.C.
………………………………………………………
DAY 2 FIXTURES:
THURSDAY, 20 DECEMBER 2018
08h00
Galaticos vs Ngwato all Stars
09:20
Lightening vs Mzimhlophe Porto
10:40
Umswenko vs La – Masia
12h00
Sour Eleven vs Gama United
13h20
Tshepisong A-S vs A to Z
14h00
Boys United FC vs Doornkop Students
16h00
Sugar Black heroes vs Izinja ze-Game