The gruelling battle between clubs in the Mangaung Metro to lift the inaugural Football Association Challenge Cup (FA Cup) culminated in the three top teams of 92 celebrating on the podium after the final match played in Bloemfontein on Sunday (11/09).
The participating clubs competed on a knockout basis to narrow down the large number of contenders that started out in the competition.
The matches involving the medal winners were decided via penalties after teams were gridlocked at 90 minutes’ regulation time.
The men’s team of the Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State, was crowned the inaugural FA Cup champion, beating Botshabelo’s Mathaithai FC by 4 – 2. The latter side received the runner-up prize of R8 000 and silver medals, while the champion team took home R10 000, a floating trophy and a gold medal for each player.
The third-place prize of R3 000 and bronze medals went to the Dewetsdorp-based Morojaneng Givers, who beat the Botshabelo-based Monstros by 4 – 3 on penalties. They finished 2 – 2 at regulation time.
Monstros received a consolation prize of R2 000, finishing in fourth position. All four teams also received the bonus prize of brand-new sets of jerseys.
Both CUT and Mathaithai had a fair share of the individual awards. Mathaithai’s pair of Thabiso Mothajane and Keketso Khahehi received golden boot accolades for scoring five goals in the competition, as well as the title of player of the tournament for consistent form.
CUT’s Thabo Samuel was namedbest goalkeeper of the tournament for fewer goals conceded, while Tumelo Mothabeng scooped the title of best defender of the tournament.
Tshepo Shale was named best referee of the tournament for consistency in decision-making in the competition.
Hlapane Matobako, South African Football Association (Safa) Mangaung Metro president, said the competition would be staged annually before the start of league competitions, to help clubs prepare for when their respective league competitions start.
