The Free State Provincial Government, in partnership with the South African Football Association (SAFA) in the Free State, hosted the semi-finals and finals of the inaugural Premier’s Cup Soccer Tournament in Mangaung.
The tournament, which was launched by Free State Premier Mxolisi Dukwana, forms part of the efforts by the provincial Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation to continue to promote sport within the province.
Since the sale of Bloemfontein Celtic FC and Free State Stars FC, the province has not had any professional or semi-professional teams. The Premier’s Cup Tournament is aimed at being a catalyst to help promote teams from the Free State to the National First Division.
“The main objective of the Premier’s Cup Tournament is to ensure a strong foundation for professional and/or semi-professional soccer teams in the Free State. We would also like to create an enabling environment to promote talent identification of local players to higher divisions. Considering the performance of our teams at the National playoffs over the past years, the federation is confident that this initiative will yield only positive results, results that we as a province will be proud of,” stated the MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation in the Free State, Limakatso Mahasa.
Sixteen teams participated in the tournament, each receiving a participation fee of R100 000 to aid in the development of Free State clubs.
Bloemfontein Celtic FC, Super Eagles FC, FC Spartans and Sibanye Golden Stars FC participated in the semi-finals. The first semi-final match between Super Eagles and Spartans FC, ended 2 goals to 1 in favour of the Spartans. The second semi-final was between Bloemfontein Celtic and Sibanye Golden Stars, in a match where Bloemfontein Celtic beat Sibanye by 2 goals to 0.
The third-place playoff match between Sibanye Golden Stars and Super Eagles was won by Sibanye on penalties, 5 to 4.
Bloemfontein Celtics took on Spartans FC at the Dr Rantlai Petrus Molemela Stadium for the first Premier’s Cup Final. Bloemfontein Celtic took home the R200 000 cheque, after winning by a goal to nil. The team also secured the R20 000 MoMo Goals for Goodwill cheque from MTN.
The first edition of the Premier’s Cup turned out to be a resounding success and marks the start of a resurgence of professional and semi-professional soccer in the Free State province.
Compiled by Warren Hawkins
