Rumble time as North End’s masterclass fires
THE East London Central Local Football Association Premier Top 8 knockout competition, an annual crowd-puller, kicks off the association’s 2018 football programme this weekend.
Former Bluebells and North End football great Mark Alexander in a partnership with Heli-One Aviation will for the fifth consecutive year sponsor the tournament.
“My business partner and I are extremely pleased and excited to be afforded the opportunity to contribute towards the upliftment of the game at North End, a passionate football community with a rich football history and legacy that has played a pivotal role in my personal upbringing,” said Alexander.
To add to Alexander’s and HeliOne company director Leon van der Merwe’s endeavours in promoting youth development football EL Central LFA have included the top U20 EL Central side from last season, Riverside FC and the 2017 First Division Promotional League champions Millan FC in an exciting draw which also features the Top 6 premier league club sides from last season.
All seven premier league sides participating in the Top 8 will look to hit the season running. On Saturday the East London Central LFA Premier League champions and three times winners of the Premier Top 8 Riverside start the defence of their title when they lock horns with their U20 counterparts at 10am.
Riverside astute premier league club coach Kelly Smith knows that a win is imperative and that he and his charges dare not underestimate Donovan Frazer’s U20s who were twice crowned U20 league champions (2015-2016).
2014 Premier Top 8 champions Star of India face Millan at 11.30am. Millan coach Mandisi Baliwe was looking forward to their first senior cup tie as premier league debutantes. “To play against Star of India is a great challenge for us, we must be excited to play this type of game, especially against this team.”
2016 Top 8 finalist Seagulls and giant-killers Brothers of Peace clash at 1pm in a highly anticipated CC Lloyd derby cup encounter, while last season’s Premier Top 8 finalist Swaraj meet DiRoma FC at 5pm in the final first round cup tie.
This cup tie takes place after the Vodacom league encounter between Tornado and Lion City. Swaraj have unveiled ex-Seagulls and the highly experienced Ralph Joseph as their new club coach. Previously known as Buffalo City Sports Academy the new-look DiRoma proved their cup prowess when they won the Noel-Mein Cup last season. The two-day event ends on Sunday with the cup semifinals and final. At 11am Riverside or their U20s face Swaraj or DiRoma and at 12.30pm Star of India or Millan face either Seagulls or Brothers of Peace for a spot in the 4pm final.