Last weekend marked the beginning of the annual Rospa United Winter Challenge Cup KO competition.

Three matches were staged at the Vuwani Mandani grounds on Sunday. Malamulele FC beat Tshiovhani FC 3-1, Makovha All Stars beat Muthelo FC 2-1 and Rospa United started the competition with a bang when they beat Phadziri FC 2-1.

Several matches will be staged at the same venue this weekend. Ten teams, namely Malamulele FC, Tshiovhani Airline, Makovha All Stars, Ramukhuba Young Brothers, Tshakhuma RO United, Ngwenani Young Chiefs, Phadziri FC, Tshiozwi Dynamos, Rospa United and Rospa Development FC, registered for the competition this year.

The champions of the competition will receive R5 000, a floating trophy, soccer kit and gold medals. A cash prize of R2 500, soccer kit and silver medals are awaiting the team that will finish in second position, while the third-placed team will take home R1 500 and bronze medals. The fourth-placed team will receive R1 000.

The final will be staged on Sunday, July 15.

According to the marketing manager of Rospa United, Mr Joseph Makushu, their aim of staging the annual event is to allow their technical staff to recruit new players in a bid to beef up their squad. Rospa United, an affiliate of the Limpopo Stream of the Vodacom Promotional League, finished their league programme in the third-last position on the log.