MANCHESTER City's juniors have confirmed their participation in the Gauteng Future Champions Under-17 International Cup in Soweto in January.

MANCHESTER City's juniors have confirmed their participation in the Gauteng Future Champions Under-17 International Cup in Soweto in January.

This was confirmed by Safa Soweto chief executive Phil "Chippa" Mogodi, who added that a total of 12 clubs will feature in the tournament.

"We are excited that we have been able to get some of the best teams in the world to participate in the second inaugural tournament.

"Besides Manchester City we also have clubs from Argentina, France, South Korea, Ghana and India that will be here in Soweto with us in January."

Besides the English side the other overseas clubs taking part are Boca Juniors (Argentina), Paris St Germain (France), Hearts of Oak (Ghana), Shuango (South Korea), Mumbai Challenge (India), DC United (United States), and Tunisia's Esperance.

South Africa will be represented byfour clubs - the SuperSport United-Tottenham Hotspur Academy, Kaizer Chiefs and Safa's Tshwane and Johannesburg regions.

Mogodi said they were working closely with the office of the department of sport, arts, culture and recreation, under MEC Nelisiwe Mtimkulu-Mbatha.

Mtimkulu-Mbatha said they were using the tournament as a platform to develop the game and to expose local youngsters to international soccer.

Boca Juniors won the inaugural tournament earlier this year after beating Esperance 1-0 in the final.