4 May 2023 – Upington was abuzz over the long weekend when SAFA region ZF Mcgawu held a Champ of Champs Soccer Tournament for clubs from around the Northern Cape.
The tournament ran from 27 April to 1 May 2023.
An U16 knockout tournament was held on the first day, while the weekend saw the senior competition taking place for the grand prize of R100 000.
Defending champions Hungry Lions, who play in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, participated in the tournament alongside clubs from the ABC Motsepe League, SAB League and SAFA regional leagues.
AmaEleven FC walked away with the grand prize and bragging rights after beating Tsantsabane Starsin the final on Monday (1 May 2023).
SAFA Head of Scout, David Nyathi, attended the tournament and spoke to www.www.safa.net about the experience.
“It was great to see the regions participating in these type of tournaments that bring communities together. It was also great to see the partnerships that SAFA is building with different cooperates, and the provincial departments of sport and recreation. I believe this tournament was well organized and supported by the community”, said Nyathi.
“The Champ of Champs Tournament showed that there is a lot of talent in the Northern Cape. There were some outstanding players that we managed to earmark over the weekend, who have the potential to go very far in their careers.
“It is important that such talent is nurtured and protected at all cost so that we can continue grooming the next generation of footballers for the country. It is also great to see that people are still passionate about football.”