The Selati Cup 2018 came to a thrilling final on Sunday with tournament underdogs Boschfontein FC defeating favourites Naas Academy in a tense penalty shootout by 7 penalties to 6. A fierce battle saw the two teams tied at 3 all before the epic penalty shootout that ended with Boschfontein FC taking home the prize purse of R100 000.
A record-breaking crowd of around 20 000 fans and VIP guests including MEC Thandi Shongwe from the Mpumalanga Department of Culture, Sports and Recreation, and representatives from SAFA and RCL Foods were all held captivated until the final whistle.
For the second year running, Selati Cup ambassador Lucas Radebe was on the sidelines supporting the teams, whom he hosted earlier in the week for a coaching session. Radebe said he’d been impressed with the talent and dedication he saw in both teams.
A total of 128 matches took place in this year’s tournament with crowds swelling each week as the action intensified leading up to Sunday’s derby.
In the Men’s 3rd and 4th place final between Shongwe Chiefs and Steenbok Classic, Chiefs defeated Steenbok by 2-0 to take the 3rd place trophy.
The women's final saw plenty of action as Super Strikers and rivals Phefeni Ladies played an exciting game, with Super Strikers showing more determination on the day to win by 2 goals to nil.
Super Strikers won the women's final by 2 goals to nil.
Among the crowd, talent scouts were on the lookout for the next stars to take to the local premier league teams. Some of the players that may have peaked their interest include Boschfontein’s Penuell Mathebula and Magagula Xolani and Naas Academy’s Monde Mphambaniso and Melosi Ndlovu, all of whom have been nominated for Selati Cup Player of the Year.
John Du Plessis, RCL Foods Sugar & Milling Managing Director said, “We are truly proud of the impact that the Selati Cup has on the local communities. In addition, we are grateful to our partners; Department of Culture, Sport & Recreation (DCSR), Trans African Concessions (TRAC), the Nkomazi Municipality and The South African Football Association (SAFA), for helping us to bring more excitement and more possibilities to Mpumalanga; the Selati heartland.”
The Selati Cup Awards ceremony will be held at Malelane Golf Club on 22 June 2018.
* Visit facebook.com/SelatiCup for more information.