One of the favourites to lift the trophy, Tshamutilikwa Fire Boys FC. Photo: Frank Mavhungu.
Sport - Date: 23 August 2024
This year’s champions of the Vhuthu Mobile Fridge Soccer Tournament will be crowned at the Gondeni Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The quarter-final matches will be played at the same venue on Saturday, with the semi-final and final scheduled for Sunday.
The first quarter-final match will see Tshikonelo Champions go up against Shayandima Dynamos, starting at 09:00. This will be followed by the match between Thohoyandou Bayern and Sterkstroom Real Chiefs.
Real Chiefs had beaten Mbahe Freedom Rebels 8-7 in their opening match last Saturday. The winner was determined through a penalty shootout, following a goalless draw at the end of regulation time.
Bayern had scored two goals and conceded none in their game against Jim Kone FC to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
Whether FC Basel will manage to retain the trophy remains to be seen. Basel will lock horns with Matondoni Home Sweepers in a match expected to start shortly after midday. Basel’s path to the quarter-finals involved defeating Masokolara Peace Makers 2-1.
The last quarter-final match will be between Tshamutilikwa Fire Boys and Matsika Shooting Stars. The winner of this match is likely to lift the trophy on Sunday afternoon, considering that both teams are well organised. Fire Boys and Shooting Stars had participated in the recent Safa Vhembe Regional League Champ of Champs matches but were eliminated in the elimination round.
The toss for the semi-final matches will be conducted after the last quarter-final game on Saturday. A cash prize of R5,000, a floating trophy, and a soccer kit are awaiting the team that will be crowned champions. The runners-up will receive R2,500 and a soccer kit. The team finishing in third place will receive R1,500, while the fourth-placed side will receive R1,000.