FARPost Cup continues to impact lives

The FARPost Cup continues to impact the lives of budding footballers, with several youngsters spotted by scouts at the Vhembe edition of the tournament held on Saturday.

Makhado LFA were crowned champions after winning on penalties at the Ha-Rabali Stadium in the Vhembe Region of Limpopo.

It was a pulsating final, which had to be decided by a penalty shootout after a six-goal thriller [3-3 draw].

Musina LFA advanced to the final after beating Thulamela 4-1 on penalties. The match had ended 3-3 in regulation time.

In the other semi-final, Makhado LFA beat Collins Chabane 4-2 in another exciting encounter.

Revered former Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns Walter Steenbok said the region was brimming with talent and believes, with the right conditions, a number of players could make it professionally.

“We’ve seen a number of talented players at this tournament. I actually spotted a 14-year-old during the clinic we conducted. We’re quite excited about what the future holds and the kind of platform this tournament provides for the rural player,” Steenbok said after the tournament.

The one player who would have caught the attention of scouts is Shoni Baloyi, who was the striker of the tournament and player of the tournament.

The left-footed forward was in devastating form, scoring three goals in the three games he played.

Zimbabwean journalist and influencer Buhle Ncube, who attended the tournament, said she was impressed by the FARPost Cup tournament concept.

“It gets me thinking when was the last time I saw a footballer coming straight from the rural areas. I think we miss out on a lot of rural talent because scouting happens in the city. It’s quite impressive what FARPost has done,” Ncube said.

In June, this publication hosted a similar tournament in Indemark Village under the Blouberg Municipality. Following that successful tournament, 20-year-old Sekgobela Masilo was snapped up by Baroka and will play his football for the second-tier side this season. The attacker had also caught the interest of Mamelodi Sundowns scouts.

Meanwhile, the best goalkeeper award went to Takalani Mulovhedzi of Makhado, while defender of the tourney was given to his teammate Advocate Matambane, with another Makhado star named Junior Thagwana the outstanding midfielder of the tournament.

The coach of the tournament accolade went to Robert Munyai, who guided Makhado to the title, while the best commentator was Rathogwa Nkhumbuleni.

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