Kickoff (Cape Town)
16 December 2008
With the Christmas break only a few days away, Orlando Pirates' defender Lucky Lekgwathi launched his festive tournament at Soshanguve Sports ground in Tshwane on Monday.
Lekgwathi, together with local businessman, Dr Kganani have forked out R12 000 for the tournament that is being contested by 16 teams from around Mamelodi, Winterveldt, Brits, Soshanguve and Hammanskraal.
Among the notable players that participated in what is now known as the Phinda Mzala tournament, was former Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates defender Themba Mnguni who featured as a striker for North-West based club, Shining Stars.
Tournament organiser Jabu Mtshweni disclosed that winning team will walk away with R5 000 whilst the runners-up will go home with R2000.
"This is for second time that we have organised this tournament.
"Tuesday and Saturday we expect to see coaches from teams in the Vodacom League and First Division to come scouting for players.
"After the last tournament one player was recruited by Mamelodi Sundowns for their development side whilst another is undergoing trials at University of Pretoria.
"We are grateful to Lekgwati and Kganani for their commitment to uplift the communities around Pretoria. These are the kind of tournaments that provide a platform to expose the talent that is in our communities," Mtshweni added.
Lekgwathi tells KickOff.com that the tournament was part of his saying 'thank you' to the people of his home area that have supported him during his career.
"In life it is important to remember where you come from. It is not only my family who raised me and taught me about life, but also the people from my community that have played role in making me what I am.
"I hope this tournament will produce another star that will go and make his name in PSL, just like I have done."
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