Under-16 sides get chance to shine in Langa tourney

Lonwabo Marele|Published 7 months ago

Members of African Tribes walk off the field for a breather before their next match commences in the 7455 youth champ of champs tournament in Langa. Picture: Lonwabo Marele

The 7455 Youth Champ of Champs under-16 football tournament is set to resume tomorrow, Friday August 9, the national Women’s Day public holiday, at the Langa sports complex.

The tournament started last Friday, August 2, and was set to conclude on Sunday, August 4, however, the local organising committee’s Ngweyesizwe Tiyo said Saturday night’s storm made the field unsafe to play on.

Sixteen teams from Langa and neighbouring communities are a part of the tournament, including PPG Langa, Computer Stars, African Tribes and Goodwood Eagles.

Chairperson of the Langa Local Football Association, Zolisa Oyama Tungwana, said it’s taken three years to plan the Champ of Champs.

“The initial idea was to go around all the footballing communities in the city and start a football tournament with the senior teams. We then went back to the drawing board and realised that most of the PSL teams in the province get young players from these teams.”

He said they decided to focus on under-16 sides instead.

“We started this tournament to get the best teams. This is the pilot. The turn out has been good and the quality is promising. Going forward we will have a much bigger tournament,” said Tungwana.

After the main final on National Women’s Day, the winners will be awarded a full playing kit, money, trophies and medals.

Langa’s Hotspurs under-16 coach, Elihle Lofana with his passionate father Malibongwe Lofana, at the 7455 youth champ of champs tournament on Saturday, August 2. Picture: Lonwabo Marele

African Tribes under-16 juniors enjoy a rare warm day in Cape Town during the youth tournament in Langa. The following day, the storm came back, flooded the fields and forced the LOC team to put proceedings on pause until Friday, August 9. Picture: Lonwabo Marele

Some of the organising committee members of the tournament, from left, Andisani Makapela, Ngweyesizwe Tiyo and Chulekazi Mdlankomo, enjoying a day out in the sun. Picture: Lonwabo Marele

Chairperson of the Langa LFA, Zolisa Oyama Tungwana supporting Lungile Ndlazi’s trade at the Langa sports complex. Picture: Lonwabo Marele

Langa’s upcoming referee, Bonga Nomnganga walks off the field with his whistle after a job well done in the under-16 tournament in Langa this past weekend. Picture: Lonwabo Marele

African Tribes in action against Computer Stars at the weekend. Computer Stars won 2-1 in the group stages. Picture: Lonwabo Marele