Richard Nkosi

Richard Nkosi

Winning the Safa Coca-Cola Fortune Under-19 Winter Soccer tournament will serve as motivation for Mangweni Manchester in their quest to challenge for promotion to the Mpumalanga Vodacom league next season, club owner Cleopas Mjoli said at the weekend.

Manchester beat Tornado from Mbombela Local Football Association 4-1 in the final at Kamhlushwa Stadium on Saturday.

Four teams, all champions from their respective LFAs, took part in the one-day tournament staged by the Safa Ehlanzeni region in Mpumalanga.

Manchester beat Young Masters from Umjindi 2-0 in the first semifinal while Tornado edged Lazio Young Tigers from Bushbuckridge in the other.

"The boys are young and very excited at winning the tournament. For most of them it is their first major achievement in their playing careers," Mjoli said.

"This will encourage us to do better next season as we have set ourselves the goal of winning promotion to the Vodacom League in our maiden season in the Safa Ehlanzeni Castle Regional League."

Manchester pocketed R8000 while Tornado were consoled with R5000. Jabulani Thwala of Tornado was the player of the tournament, Nelson Vilankulu (Manchester) the top goalkeeper and Noel Mkhabela (Manchester) the top goal scorer.