Cup tournaments are always full of excitement, entertainment and drama. It matters not if the tournament is played by professional athletes or amateurs. Since the beginning of October 2021 the Vumbuka Trust Cup has been dishing delicious football entertainment to football fanatics in Mkhondo. The biggest cup tournament in the Gert Sibande Region of Mpumalanga wraps up this weekend on Sunday 21 November 2021 where six (6) divisions will be playing the finals from 8am.
The football pitch is where the fun has been found, while the boardroom has been filled with drama coming from the pitch. The fun is provided through matches coming from six football divisions of the Mkhondo Local Football Association: U13, U15, U17, U15 girls, Ladies and Mkhondo Promotion League. A record number of clubs entered to play this year’s tournament. This increase was due to the addition of clubs from other Sub LFAs affiliated under the Mkhondo Local Football Association. Apart from the original hosts Thandukukhanya Sub LFA the association added Amsterdam, Ngema-Dirkiesdorp, Siyethemba Sulphur Springs and the newly established Simakade Sub LFA. Each Sub LFA played an elimination round producing their own champions.
The development teams which included the boys (under 13, U15 & U17) played the majority of matches during the school holidays. The under 13 final is not yet decided due to a dispute between Thandolokukhanya FC vs Citizen FC which the Mkhondo LFA has ruled to be replayed on Saturday 20 November 2021. The winner will face Golden Stars FC in the final. The under 15 division will be contested by Silver Stars FC vs First Touch FC while the under 17 division final will be between Mangosuthu rivals Mara Mara vs Comet Riders FC.
The total sponsorship amounts to a whooping R120 000 from the sponsors Vumbuka Trust, a BBBEE partner at TWK. Previously the prizes have included playing equipment for all the finalists and this year the same is expected.
The girls under 15 had the same number of teams as the 2019 edition i.e. four teams. They played a round robin format leaving the top two teams Mkhondo City Stars vs Saul Mkhizeville Ladies to contest the final. Eleven Stars Ladies and Mara Mara Ladies finished on 3rd and 4th positions.
The senior ladies division featured eleven (11) teams playing a knockout round. The final will be contested by SASOL League side Losta Stars Ladies against newly formed Saul Mkhizeville Ladies. The Saul Mkhizeville Ladies are the underdogs but are expected to put up a brave fight on Sunday against 2019 runners-up Losta Stars Ladies FC.
The Sub LFA champions were involved in the semi finals on Sunday 14 November 2021 at Kempville Stadium. Blck Luion FC from Sulphur Springs will contest the final against Atletico Madrid FC from eMabola at the main finale at 3pm. The all division finale will begin with the Under 13 final at 8am followed by Under 15 girls, Under 15 boys, Under 17 boys, Ladies final and the Promotion League final at 3pm on Sunday 21 November 2021 at Kempville Stadium, Mkhondo. Winners will then be crowned after the seniors final with prizes to be awarded to the champions and runners-up.
The total sponsorship amounts to a whooping R120 000 from the sponsors Vumbuka Trust, a BBBEE partner at TWK. Previously the prizes have included playing equipment for all the finalists and this year the same is expected. The senior ladies and male teams previously received playing equipment and cash as prizes. Each division will receive a champion trophy, and Gold medals while the runners up receive silver medals.