The 16 teams of Safa Vhembe that ended in the first and second position during the previous soccer season will participate in the first rounds of the Gwede Mantashe and Matsila Development Trust Soccer Challenge at the Makwarela Stadium tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday.

An amount of R100 000 was made avaliable as prize money for the teams. According to the sports manager of the Vhembe District, Mr Avhatakali Themeli, the final will be played at Thohoyandou Stadium on 5 December. The winners will go home with R15 000, a floating trophy, gold medals, two soccer kits and soccer equipment.

The sum of R10 000, silver medals, two soccer kits and soccer equipment await the runners-up, while the two teams ending up in third and fourth position will each receive R5 000, soccer kit and soccer equipment. All the remaining teams will receive soccer equipment.

The teams that will participate are: Rabali Pull Together, Tshivhidulu Hungry Lions, Makhitha Oscar Stars, Mpheni Home Defenders, Makovha All Stars, Ngwenani Young Chiefs, Phandulaluvalo FC, Rockers FC, Tshakhuma RO United, Rambuda Young Fighters, Muswodi Happy Fighters, Musina United, Mudziafera Blue Eagles, Shigamani FC, Mukula Young Santos, United artists and Ficus FC.

The manager of Makhitha Oscar Stars, Mr Oscar Sirovha, expressed his joy with the team’s performance this year. He added that their preparations were well underway “and my boys are looking forward to this challenge”. He warned his team that they must score more goals if they wished to progress further. “The players are young and inexperienced but have been playing for a few years now, so they know each other well. I can see they are getting more and more confident as the days progress,” he added.

The manager of Wayeni Sea Robbers, Mr Bolly Baloyi, said that they were happy with the way the team was gelling. "The boys are doing their best and I’m impressed with their performance." Baloti said their aim was to use the tournament as a stepping stone to the league matches. “Apart from the fact that there is a lot at stake in the competition, it is time for us to fulfil our promises,” Baloyi said. “We promised the fans and all the residents that we want to bring home some silverware.”