Swallows take part in Mayor's Cup

ABSA Premiership runners-up Moroka Swallows have been invited to take part in the 2012 Mopani Mayor's Cup, which is becoming one of the biggest off-season tournaments in South African soccer.

Sowetan has learnt that Swallows have agreed to be part of this four-club event set to be played at Giyani Stadium on July 29.

The other three clubs who have confirmed their participation are the tournament's reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns, SuperSport United and Limpopo's only Premiership side, Black Leopards.

Since its inception five seasons ago, Sundowns are the only club that have won this tournament but failed to clinch the Premiership.

Matsatsantsa have won the tournament three times and gone on to win the Premiership title three times. Orlando Pirates featured once in the tournament two seasons ago and also proceeded to win the league title.

The tournament, which is the brainchild of Mopani executive mayor Joshua Matlou, is aimed at developing football and raising funds for charitable organisations in the area.

The organisers wanted crowd-pullers Kaizer Chiefs and Pirates to be part of the tournament but the problem is that the two giants will be involved in the Carling Black Label Cup at Soccer City on July 28.

United's assistant coach Thomas Madigage has joined forces with the organisers to conduct coaching clinics through his foundation.

Plans are also at an advanced stage to include other sporting codes like athletics, netball and softball in the event. Matlou could not be reached for comment at the time of going to press.