Mathaithai FC from Diepkloof, Soweto were on Saturday, 5 January 2019 crowned winners of the 2018/19 KwaMahlobo Festive Games after overcoming crowd favourites Snake Park Chillers 1-0 in a nail-biting final played at KwaMahlobo Grounds in Meadowlands Zone 10.

With the victory, Mathaithai brought down the curtain on the 16-day tournament, which kicked off last month (Wednesday, 19 December) with 40 teams and described in social circles as the biggest and best Festive Season Games ever.

The winners walked away with gold medals, a trophy and a whopping R120 000 while the runners up pocketed R50 000 for their efforts.

Mathaithai were playing their second match of the day after booking their spot in the final with another great performance against other fan-favourites, Shake It Everyday. The former came back from two goals down to clinch a 5-3 penalty shootout victory in the first semi-final, following a 2-2 stalemate.

Chillers, despite playing with 10 men due to a red card early in the first half, had the easiest ride into the final as they walloped the much-fancied LNB Tax FC 5-1 in the second semi-final.

The battle for gold proved to be a mountain too high to climb however for Chillers as they lost 1-0 to a determined Mathaithai.

Both teams fought hard in heavy rains to claim a famous win and be crowned champions of this annual tournament for the time ever.

A capacity crowd that included Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation Ms Faith Mazibuko, Antonio Barradas, LaLiga’s Africa President and Banyana Banyana striker Thembi Kgatlana, among others, watched the clash.

Shake It Everyday, and LNB Tax FC, took home R15 000 each.

A total of 230 goals were scored in the 95 matches played during the tournament.

For the individual accolades, the Top Goalscorer award went to Zakhele Lepasa of Snake Park Chillers with 10 goals in the competition, while it was double victory for Mathaithai FC goalkeeper after he was named as the Best Goalkeeper and Player of the Tournament.

 

SEMI-FINAL RESULTS: 

Day 16:

Saturday, 5 January 2019

 

1. Snake Park Chillers	5 – 1	LNB Tax FC
2. Mathaithai	(2) 5 – (2) 3	Shake It Everyday	Penalties

 

FINAL:

Day 16:

Saturday, 5 January 2019

 

WINNER GAME 1 vs WINNER GAME 2                                                             15H30

Snake Park Chillers	0  – 1	Mathaithai FC

 

PRIZE MONEY – R200 000 00 IN TOTAL:

* LOSING SEMIFINALISTS:                                        R15 000 00 (x2)

* 2nd PLACE:                                                                R50 000 00

* WINNERS:                                                                 R120 000 00

 

2018/19 WINNERS:                                                       MATHAITHAI FC

RUNNERS-UP:                                                              SNAKE PARK CHILLERS

3rd & 4th PLACE                                                           LNB TAX FC & SHAKE IT EVERYDAY

BEST PLAYER:                                                             SIBUSISO MAVOJA (Mathaithai FC goalkeeper)

TOP GOALSCORER:                                                   ZAKHELE LEPASA  (Snake Park Chillers – 10 goals)

SOURCED FROM THE SAFA WEBSITE.