Nie Cele
Its game on for 23rd instalment of Mzansi’s festive season football biggest effervescent and dazzling Kwamahlobo festive games.
This was revealed at a highly anticipated launch held at the Disoufeng in Soweto.
Still played under the Laliga tutelage , this soccer tournament is most famous for fine pedigree talent display and unearthing an avalanche of professional players who end up plying their trade in top class football locally and abroad.
This high octane soccer tournament is expected to run from December 19 till January 5 at Kwamahlobo grounds, Meadowlands Soweto.
Furthermore this festive season tourney attracts thousands of fans that pack the Kwamahlobo grounds to the rafters even on rainy days and in an unrelenting scorching heat.
At the launch it was revealed that 40 teams will this season lock horns for the coveted trophy and a substantial prize money.
Speaking at the official launch on Tuesday where the draw was also conducted, LaLiga South Africa’s, Enrique Suay said the tournament was one of many initiatives that LaLiga is proud to be spearheading in lending a helping hand to the growth of football in South Africa and other parts of the continent.
“Through our partnership with SAFA and the KwaMahlobo Games, this season marks the fourth year of LaLiga’s involvement in the tournament. As a globally acclaimed football brand, it is important for LaLiga to be involved in unique football initiatives that contribute to societal growth and enhancement of the game. The KwaMahlobo Games are one of many ways in which LaLiga prides itself in making a difference to society through football,” Suay pointed.
Ward Coucillor, Emmanuel Tseleli, told the packed audience, he was excited about the games which he said brings the best entertainment in Mzansi.
“Whoever has not been to Kwa-mahlobo is missing out. These games are so economically important in the surrounding communities in that they bring a lot of revenue to the hawkers.”
Antonio Baradas, Adviser to the Laliga President told the audience these games are growing in leaps and bounds.
“We are very proud of these games. We want to carry on bankrolling them. These games are for the people to enjoy and want to see them grow.”
With tongue in cheek, he said. “Soweto is my home.”
Tournament Ambassador and Highlands Park Player, Reneilwe Letsholonyane told the packed launch that, he was honoured to be part of this initiative.
Patrick Ntenjwa, Co-Founder of the tournament credited his assistants, Fats Nhlapho and Blessing Zwane for the success and smooth sailing of the tourney over the past years.
Ntenjwa also hailed LaLiga’s efforts in growing the games through their involvement in the tournament, adding that stakes are high in this unique tourney that has reached high standards.
“We have enjoyed a fruitful partnership with LaLiga which has seen the standard of the KwaMahlobo Games grow to even greater heights in the last four years. Having a globally acclaimed brand such as LaLiga has encouraged us to continue working hard, as this tournament has become a springboard to the launch of a number of South African footballers, including this year’s ambassador, Reneilwe Letsholonyane. We urge the people of Soweto and surrounding areas to come out in their numbers as we witness another exciting edition of the KwaMahlobo Games,” said Ntenjwa.
Mandla Mdlalose, a City of Johannesburg representative also echoed the same sentiment and stressed that this tournament plays a vital role in contributing to the local economy.
DID YOU KNOW ?
- Mathaithai are the defending champions.
- First prize for the winners is a staggering R120 000.
- LaLiga is a sports association that was founded in 1984. It comprises 42 teams that make up the first and second divisions of professional football in Spain.
- LaLiga is based in Madrid and is responsible for three leagues and the television production, which in the 2016/2017 season reached more than 2.5 billion people globally.
- The association also has an active foundation and is the world’s only professional football league with a league for intellectually challenged footballers; LaLiga Genuine.
SEE BELOW THE LIST OF CLUBS AND THE GROUPS.
| GROUP A | GROUP B |
| Meadowlands Juventus | Teed Warriors |
| Amajananda FC | Mangalani Aces FC |
| Meadowlands Academy | BH Stars |
| Meadowlands Harmony | Snakepark Chillas |
| Meadowlands All Stars | Meadowlands Proffesionals |
| GROUP C | GROUP D |
| BKM | Ndengeza FC |
| Braamfischer FC | CSKA Moscow |
| Ngwato All Stars | Izinja Ze Game |
| Looky Land | Simba FC |
| TP Styles | Meadowlands Rangers |
| GROUP E | GROUP F |
| Mathole Gunners | River Park FC |
| Hungry Stars | Makhatlala FC |
| Lyon FC | Soweto Super United |
| Meadowlands Black Rangers | Shake Every Day |
| Braamfischers Eagles | Vutha FC |
| GROUP G | GROUP H |
| Umswenko FC | Mathathai FC |
| Protea Amagents | A to Z FC |
| Seven Eleven | Ndofaya FC |
| Busisiwe FC | Dooronkop FC |
| Boys United FC | Chipolopolo FC |
