EL beach soccer kicks off

FOOTBALL teams showed off some slick and skilful moves when the Buffalo City Metro Municipality (BCMM) in collaboration with South African Football Association (Safa), held their first beach soccer tournament at Orient Beach last Saturday.

Buffalo City soccer teams came in their numbers to participate in the inaugural tournament. Safa Beach Soccer national coach Ntokozo Bhengu, who initiated the tournament, said he saw a need for such a tournament after visiting the province in 2012.

“Today we are introducing beach soccer in the entire Eastern Cape and the turn-up has been tremendous as we have four local teams playing against each other,” said Bhengu.

The tournament was graced by the presence of the city’s beach soccer coaches Khotso Kobo and Zuko Mdebelele who all hail from Duncan Village, as well as referee Asavela Nyeleka.

“Beach soccer is a fun sport as it does not have any age limit. Overseas, beach soccer is even played at a Premier Soccer League (PSL) level and that is what we are trying to introduce here in BCMM.” said Kobo.

He said they were happy with the amazing talent they had discovered in the Buffalo City.

“In August we are hoping to have a mini-tournament where we will also introduce the sport code to ladies on Women’s Day,” he said.