Linge and Langa LFAs host Easter soccer action at home

The Bayhill Premier Cup is possibly the biggest youth competition in the country, and when it comes to Easter weekend football, they pretty much own it.

Some of the best footballers in South Africa have cut their teeth in this prestigious under-19 tournament and every year it continues to attract talent from across the country.

But while the spotlight is firmly on Bayhill, Easter weekend is far from quiet in other corners of Cape Town, where local football associations (LFAs) bring their own kind of heat to the pitch.

Linge and Langa LFAs made sure the long weekend lived up to its billing, as their communities turned out in numbers to enjoy what has become a tradition over Easter.

While tournaments like Bayhill focus on polished academy players who are climbing the ranks towards professional careers, the LFA Easter competitions are more like community festivals — with football, fun and family all rolled into one.

Langa sports ground and Lingelethu sports complex were alive with the sounds of cheering crowds and whistles all weekend. These two venues never miss out on the chance to host their own Easter football spectacular and this year was no different.

From early morning group stage matches to intense knockout games in the late afternoon, there was no shortage of action. The fields were packed with talent across different age groups —youngsters showing raw skill, veterans proving they still have it and everyone in between just loving the game.

In Khayelitsha, Linge will finish their tournament this coming weekend with eight teams remaining. In Langa the winners are: Bazi Abantu FC in the seniors; United ladies won the ladies section; Royal Titans won the under-16; Wanderers won the under-14; and United Brothers won in the under-12s.