The champions of the Gwede Mantashe Soccer Challenge will be crowned at the Thohoyandou Stadium tomorrow afternoon.

The programme for the day shall commence with the semifinal matches. Mukula Young Santos, Rockers FC, Mpheni Home Defenders and United Artists booked places in the semifinal stage of the prestigious competition. Young Santos and Rockers will enter the field of play at 09:00.

Rockers beat Wayeni Sea Robbers 2-1 at the Makwarela Stadium last weekend to book a place in the last four. When asked about their state of readiness for the game, the captain of Rockers, Mulalo Kudzingana, said that Santos would have a mountain to climb in order for them to book a place in the final.  When responding to that, the communications manager of Santos, Mr Tendley Tshifhiwa, indicated that they had not reached the semifinal by default. He sent a warning to Rockers, saying they must prepare themselves for what he described as the “mother of all battles”.

Mpheni Home Defenders and United Artists will meet in the second semifinal, starting at 11:00. Artists will be without their striker, Vhonani Munyai, who was given his marching orders in their semifinal game against Muziafera Blue Eagles. They beat Blue Eagles 2-1 at the Makwarela Stadium last Saturday. Home Defenders beat Tshivhilidulu Hungry Lions 5-4 in the quarterfinal stage.

The winners in the semifinal matches will meet in the final at 15:00.

The champions for the tournament will become R15 000 richer and will also receive a soccer kit. The runners up will receive R10 000 and soccer kit, while the teams that will lose in the semifinal stage will each take home R5 000 and soccer kit.

Some of the dignitaries who are expected to attend the event include the Minister of Sports and Recreation, Mr Fikile Mbalula, Dr Irvin Khoza (chairman of Orlando Pirates), Mr Kaizer Motaung (chairman of Kaizer Chiefs) and Mr Patrice Motsepe (chairman of Mamelodi Sundowns).