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Goals and fun galore at Manthatisi tournament

Thabo Johnson

Thabo Johnson

The yearly Manthatisi Football Tournament that was staged in Fouriesburg's Mashaeng community at the weekend continues to grow in stature.

This youth development tournament that is staged every festive season was also celebrating its third year.

The event has become a happy hunting ground for talented soccer players and a centre of attraction for enthusiastic football fans from places such as QwaQwa, Ficksburg and Bethlehem.

Hundreds of spectators turned up to watch the four top local sides - Real Madrid, Juventus, Experience and Papillon - battle it out over two days. The event is the brainchild of soccer marketing consultant Felicia Ntisa, who is also from Mashaeng village.

Two youngsters, left-winger Apo Mosia playing of Real Madrid and striker Mosia Mokete of Juventus, were earmarked for trials with an unnamed Premiership team.

Last year two players from the same clubs, Tefo Mofokeng and Mzamani Mngomezulu, were scooped up by Bloemfontein Young Tigers and Bloemfontein Celtic, respectively.

Juventus beat newcomers Experience 2-1 in the semifinals and Madrid beat inaugural champions Papillon 3-0. Juventus went on to hammer Madrid 3-0 in the final.

Reward for their effort was R1 200 prize money plus gold medals and a floating trophy.

Juventus beat Papillon in the third-place playoff.

Juventus' striker Mokete won the player of the tournament award, plus R250. Juventus coach Rabidi Botsitso was named coach of the tournament.

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