Junior footballers gear up for Lucky Star showdown

ASPIRING junior footballers are excitedly looking forward to battling it out at the annual Lucky Star Cup tournament to be hosted by the FC Kapstadt next month.

It will be the first time the tournament will host its grand opening away from Hartleyvale Stadium. It will move to Athlone Stadium on September 28.

Its traditional exhibition matches includes former PSL legends, celebrities and media personalities, and the under-20s joining the footballers for the first time.

Fifty clubs will be participating with teams from under-7 upwards. They will be hailing from various provinces including Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal, Limpopo, and Namibia, among other places.

FC Kapstadt chairperson Zaid Omar said, “It’s absolutely fascinating how the tournament has evolved from a local event to a national event and now an international competition. It’s fantastic but at the same time overwhelming and difficult.

“We certainly would like entertain all requests from clubs to enter but it’s impossible.

“The event will again adopt a multiple venue experience. We’re currently processing our event permit application through the City of Cape Town event permit office.

“In order to develop youth footballers, we need competitions in the best stadium against the best youth teams in the world. The tournament aspires to achieve this.”

Coach for the Wentworth Warriors from KZN, Xolani Mbatha, said their preparations were also going well, with players excited about “playing at the competitive environment, away from home”.

“It’s an opportunity for all of us to learn and improve. Tournaments like these aren’t just about chasing the ball and scoring goals but also to learn new techniques and get exposure.”

His player, Ndalo Wotshinise, 15, added that they’ve missed the tournament, which they last played in 2019.

“It’s always fun going to Cape Town, there’s so much to enjoy, but most importantly, is to win our games and bring the cup home.”

Diego Araujo, from the Tuks under16 team, said: “The tournament environment is different to weekly matches so we have to stay focused throughout the tournament.

“We are training very hard. Our goal is to compete at a high level and to win the tournament.”

Omar thanked everyone who has been supportive towards preparations including the recent donors.

“We blessed to have received a kit sponsorship from ATFIN Consulting for all the club youth teams.”