High fives all around at Castle event

Five-a-side tournament set to take on the continent

HAVING long established themselves as great backers of football on the continent, Castle are venturing into another format of the game that is fast growing – five-a-side.

The Castle Africa 5s tournament is set to a significant part of the continent by storm with no less than six countries hosting a competition to pick the best to represent them at the finals later in the year.

The play-offs in all of South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe will begin this month with the winning teams from each of these countries guaranteed a spot in the finals to be hosted in Lusaka, Zambia in May.

The Castle Africa 5s has the backing of the great African superstar Samuel Eto’o, the former Cameroon international who has been crowned the continent’s best footballer on four occasions.

The 2000 Olympic football champion who has a couple of Uefa Champions League titles to his name is the tournament’s ambassador. Also behind the 5s are renowned former stars from each of the six participating countries – Brian Baloyi, Lehlohonolo Seema, Siza Dlamini, Ivo Mapunda, Christopher Katongo and Tinashe Nengomasha who will serve as ‘mentors’.

Gauteng amateur five-a-side teams keen to prove their prowess in this high-tempo, thrill-a-minute version of the beautiful game can register for participation by contacting one of the six participating venues.

Urban Sports, Emmarentia, Callum 0833049847, March 17;

Old Parks, Craighall, Marcus 0824423131, March 3;

Action Soccer, Edenvale, Victor 0847549857, March 18;

Rustic Indoor, Fourways, William 0791913858, March 10;

Pirates, Parkhurst, Justin 0649080965, March 25;

Fives Premier League, Randburg, Bevin 0836178797, March 24

Qualifying tournament

Dates: Every weekend throughout the month of March Entry Fee: R1000 per team (Each team to receive 2 x 6packs Castle Lager on arrival)

Prizes: Winner – R5000 cash Winner and Runner-up – A spot to compete in the National Finals at the Rand show 2018 (16 teams)

National tournament

The winners and runners up from the six Gauteng venues/tournaments will battle it out with the other four regional teams to represent the South African team at the Africa Tournament to be held in Zambia.

Dates: 4-7 April 2018 Entry: Winners and Runners up from the Gauteng tournaments

Prize: 6 x full expenses paid trip to represent the South African National team in Lusaka, Zambia worth R180 000

Africa tournament

The Winner of the National tournament will represent South Africa against Lesotho, Swaziland; Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe at the Africa finals in Lusaka, Zambia. Date: End of May Entry: National Champions (Winner of the tournament held at the Rand Show 2018)

Prize: 6 x full expenses paid trips to watch the Fifa World Cup 2018 worth R800 000