BONANZA ON CARDS
Central in the starting blocks for Easter take-off
ORGANISERS of the ever-popular Cliffie Brown/Leon Meyer Memorial Easter soccer tournament are looking forward to a bumper competition over the coming days.
According to East London Central Local Football Association competitions director Randall Leendertz it is all systems go for the prestigious third annual edition hosted by the Association and sanctioned by the Buffalo Flats Sports Council.
This after a highly successful tournament draw function on Friday night, witnessed by the Buffalo City Metro sports council and ward councillors, which produced interesting and exciting matchups.
Two of the oldest North End soccer community-based clubs and fierce rivals over the years, defending Easter Platinum Cup champions Star of India and Pride of India will clash in a titanic senior first round Braelyn derby tie on Friday evening, kick-off at 8.15pm, in a match that is sure to pull in an exciting crowd.
Star of India are twice winners of this event (2015 and 2017) while Pride of India last won the Easter tournament in 1968.
Breidbach-based Violets face Parkridge favourites and crowdpullers Swaraj in the main curtainraiser at 7pm after the traditional Easter march-past and opening ceremony.
CC Lloyd darlings, 2017 Platinum Cup finalist and twice Easter tournament winners (2004 and 2016) Seagulls face unpredictable Mercedes-Benz EL outfit at 4.15pm.
The senior cup first round programme kicks off at 10am on Friday at North End when Easter tournament debutantes Alphen Warriors entertain DiRoma, Napoli cross swords with 2017 Bowl winners Brothers of Peace at 11.15am, Leeds United have an ominous task in trying to topple high-riding Riverside at 12..30pm, Breidbachbased Hellenic square off against 2017 Gold Cup champions Duncan Village-based Conquerors at 1.45pm and 1992 Easter tournament champions Parkside United lock horns with Atlantic Spurs at 3pm.
The U18 cup round-robin fixtures takes place from 10am at the Parkside grounds and the Masters over35 fixtures continues at the Showgrounds from 10am.
The over-35s commence tonight at North End when Seagulls host Nestlé at 6.30pm and MBSA take on Cambridge All Stars at 8pm.
Tomorrow evening Mdantsane Police and Riverside clash at 8pm and Prides and Swaraj open their account at 6.30pm.
In King William’s Town tomorrow evening at 7pm it is a Breidbach derby that will unfold between Violets and Breidbach Masters.
Former Merchants and SA Federation team manager Dan Jekels together with the Border squad members who won the 1979-1981 SA Federation provincial championship tournaments will officially open the event on Friday evening at North End Stadium.
The tournament continues over the weekend at all three venues and concludes on Easter Monday with the cup finals at the home of non-racial football – North End Stadium.