25 November 2019 – Hungry Stars of Central Western Jabavu in Soweto are the champions of the 2019 edition of the Clinix Stix Morewa Soccer Challenge.
Stars defeated a stubborn White City Spurs 4-3 on penalties after the match ended in a 1-1 stalemate on Sunday, 24 November 2019 at the Nike Football Training Centre in Pimville, Soweto.
The clash brought to an end this annual tournament, which is played in memory of former President of the South African Football Association (SAFA), the late Solomon Stix Morewa.
The match was attended by, among others, Bafana Bafana head coach Molefi Ntseki, Amajimbos (SA U-17 Men’s National Team) stand-in coach Vela Khumalo, former Mamelodi Sundowns defender, retired Mike Ntombela as well as Bobby Morewa, son of Stix Morewa.
Sponsored by the Clinix Health Group, this was the 15thyear of the competition.
The games started back in August and saw about 1200 teams involved, including the U-9s, who were playing for the first time ever in the tournament.
Eight finals were played on Sunday, with the matches kicking off at 09h00.
The final of the U-9s was used as a curtain raiser to the men’s final, with Senaoane Gunners narrowly beating Diepkloof Paradise FC 2-1 in a very exciting match-up that had the crowd on their feet.
The day started with SRS Amagents claiming gold in a 2-0 victory against Diepkloof Rocks in an U-11 clash.
Orlando Winter Roses won the U-13 contest when they beat SS Academy 1-0, before FC Barcenal of Diepkloof defeated Super Spurs 5-4 on penalties after they were tied at 2-2 at the end of regulation time.
The same teams met again in the U-17 section, and FC Barcenal won 4-3 on penalties – the match had finished in a 1-1 draw.
Blackpool Ladies held their nerve after coming from two goals down to draw level with Diepkloof Ladies in the U-17 age category, and the former claimed a 4-3 penalty shootout victory.
Sasol League side Soweto Fabulous were just too good for Diepkloof Ladies in the women’s open section, winning 2-0 to lift the trophy.
The Clinix Stix Morewa Soccer Challenge, which has become an annual event, was founded by the Clinix Health Group and the Soweto Football Association (SFA).
It was first played in 2004 to commemorate ‘Stix’ Morewa, who was also a Marketing Director of Clinix Health Group.
The tournament, which has grown in leaps and bounds, and now also features the U-9s and female teams.
Some of the players who have graced this competition include the likes of Banyana Banyana Banyana vice captain, Refiloe Jane – who now plies her trade in Italy in the colours of European giants AC Milan, as well as Sifiso Vilakazi, Sifiso Zulu, and Lehlohonolo Thuntsane.
| Sunday 24 November 2019 | |||||
| RESULTS: | |||||
| 1. | SRS Amagents F.C. | 2-0 | Diepkloof Rocks F.C. | under 11 | |
| 2. | Orlando Winter Roses F.C. | 1-0 | SS Academy | Under 13 | |
| 3. | Super Spurs F.C. | 2-2
(4-5p) |
FC Barcenal | Under 15 | |
| 4. | Blackpool Ladies F.C. | 2-2
(4-3p) |
Diepkloof Ladies F.C. | Under 17 F | |
| 5. | Super Spurs F.C. | 1-1
(3-4p) |
F.C. Barcenal | Under 17 | |
| 6.. | Soweto Fabulous Ladies F.C. | 2-0. | Diepkloof Ladies | Ladies | |
| 7 | Senaoane Gunners F.C. | 2-1. | Diepkloof Paradise F.C. | Under 9 | |
| 8. | Ama-Unity F.C. | 1-1
(3-4p) |
CWJ Hungry Stars F.C. | ||