Tag: Comet Riders FC

by Ntokozo Simelane

Breaking News: League ends in dramatic fashion

The champions of Thandukukhanya Promotion League Stream A for the 2021/22 season has been decided in a dramatic fashion. This happened after the Mkhondo LFA Disciplinary Committee ruled that the match between Comet Riders FC vs Mara Mara FC will not be replayed. The decision was taken earlier this evening (Tuesday 31 May 2022). This effectively means that the club from Ajax will be going to the playoffs for the second time in the club’s history.

The stream A champions won the league on goal difference having tied with Comet Riders FC on 56 points after 22 matches played. Ajax Sweepers scored 66 goals conceding 18 making out a goal difference of +48 goals. Their rivals to the title Comet Riders FC scored 64 goals conceding 23 and ended up with a +41 goal difference. Both clubs won eighteen (18) matches drawing two (2) and only losing two (2) games apiece.

At the disciplinary hearing of the Mkhondo LFA held on Tuesday evening (31 May 2022) Comet Riders FC was represented by Coach Oliver Nkosi. Mara Mara FC was also present represented by club Owner Mr Bazooka Ntuli. The chairperson of the disciplinary committee Mr Mduduzi “Johnny’ Nkosi gave both parties a chance to explain the events that led to their match being called off. The match in question was a rescheduled league match on Saturday 7 May 2022 which played at Kwantombazana Ground, Thandukukhanya. The report received by the association was that the match did not finish because it became dark with three (3) minutes left of play. This raised suspicion which led to an investigation by the LFA hence the appearance of the clubs.

The LFA will have to investigate further otherwise we risk staining our reputation

The evidence presented by both clubs was the same with very few contradictions. It was found that the match did kick-off at the correct time of 3:30pm on Saturday afternoon and that the 2nd half began at 3:35. The disciplinary committee found that there could not be any justification of saying the match did not finish because it was dark and that there was still three (3) minutes left. Speaking to the chairperson of the Disciplinary Committee Mr Johnny Nkosi said this matter will be treated with the utmost care and will be investigated further because it has characteristics of match fixing. “We have reason to suspect that this match and a few others in both streams of Thandukukhanya Promotion League were not done correct. The LFA will have to investigate further otherwise we risk staining our reputation,” he said.

Ajax Sweepers FC will join five (5) other champions on Wednesday afternoon at the draw for the Mkhondo Promotion League 2021/22 season Promotional Playoffs. The others are:

  1. Amsterdam Promotion League champs Amabhubesi FC
  2. Ngema-Dirkiesdorp Promotion League champs Kunene FC
  3. Newly formed stream Simakade Promotion League champs Juventus FC
  4. Siyethemba Promotion League champs Black Lion FC
  5. Thandukukhanya Promotion League Stream B champions Total Football United FC

The 2022 Mkhondo Promotional Playoffs will be played this weekend on 04&05 June 2022 at Emoyeni Stadium, Amsterdam in the Mkhondo Local Municipality.

by Ntokozo Simelane

Vumbuka Trust Cup wraps up this weekend

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.
Vumbuka Trust Cup 2021 Ladies division. Losta Stars Ladies FC 0 Diski Queens 0. Losta Stars Ladies FC won the semi final match 6-5 on penalties on Saturday 30 October 2021 at Masenkeni Stadium, Thandukukhanya. The final will be contested by Losta Stars Ladies vs Saul Mkhizeville Ladies on Sunday 21 November 2021.

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.