The Selati Cup has been a focal entertainment showpiece in the Mpumalanga province for 14 years now, providing hundreds of youngsters an opportunity to showcase their talent and giving the community a platform to show their support.
The overwhelming participation of 120 teams that entered for the 2019 tournament is proof that this is more than just football, it’s about pride and passion. To accommodate the demand for the cup, Kamhlushwa, Driekoppies and Naas Stadium were selected as the hosting venues of the tournament in the Nkomazi district.
The teams are ambassadors of their respective regions in Nkomazi, all fighting it out to be crowned champions and claim the coveted bragging rights until the next tournament. Since the tournament’s inception no team has won the tournament on two different occasions which is evidence of how tough it is.
The people of Mpumalanga had the opportunity to acquaint and interact with international stardom in the past in particular through Lucas Radebe who was the tournament’s ambassador for the last two years. Radebe assumed a development role through coaching clinics helping players improve their performance abilities.
This year that responsibility has been placed on former Selati Cup prodigy and Highlands Park midfielder, Enocent Mkhabela. Mkhabela will offer players the necessary knowledge himself having played in the cup.
Tournament Coordinator, Kenneth Phiri was pleased with the progress of the tournament so far: “So far it has been very exciting, Selati is about spreading joy and happiness and there’s no better way to do it through a common passion that people share which is football. There’s a real buzz and that is ultimately what it’s about, bringing excitement to the people” said Phiri.
The tournament has now reached the last 16 stages and the games are getting more intense by the round. Boschfontein FC who won it last year have been in tremendous form, which was recently vindicated by one of their players scoring 5 goals in a single match, a tournament record. It’s not how you start but how you finish, famous words that will be in the minds of the competing teams.
The final will be staged on 2 June at the Kamhlushwa Stadium in the Ehlanzeni District of Mpumalanga, but before then a lot of winning and losing will have to come to pass in this entertainment showpiece.
Fans can stay up to date with fixtures, results, breaking news by following the Selati Cup Facebook Page.
Written by: Diski Voice
