UJ hosts first day of the U18 African Bank Football Challenge

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) and it's football club have collaborated with African bank, Safa, and Gauteng department of sports, arts and recreation to host the African Bank U18 football Challenge for both boys and girls hosted in Gauteng region. The aim of the tournament is to dramatically improve the development of schools football in the Gauteng region, also eliminating inequality in the women's sport code. Hence, tournament director, Mr J Kgokong acknowledges the educators, coaches, parents, administrators and the players for their unwavering support to football development in South Africa.

Mr Joel kgokong

The U18 African Bank football challenge amplifies the Safa, vision 2022 long term plan that aims to fundamentally rebuilds the structures of Safa at all levels to create conditions that will bring about the sustained international success of our national teams inclusive of women's football nationally. There's great ambition to strengthen and eradicate any form of gender discrimination in South African football and Safa acknowledges a vibrant schools football programme is the heart of the problem.

On the 1 September 2017, UJ hosted the first day of the U18 African Bank football Challenge, having both boys and girls playing their first round matches. There's been great spirit and excitement from the participants inclusive of the coaches and decision makers of the tournament. It's a tradition for South African football players to sing before competing and Clapham high girls football team didn't disappoint with their singing and dabbing, unfortunately the jubilation couldn't match their performance inside the field. The #Iyabila tournament is much more than competition, students, coaches and partners are all here with the aim of building relationships and enjoying the unification of all the people involved in the first annual U18 African Bank football Challenge.

From left: P Ntshangase and A Dlamini

The tournament will be on from 1-3 of September 2017 and everybody is welcome to spend the day with us and cheer our youngsters on. It's a great platform for boys and girls equally to show case their talent and with great support from all spheres, its a win win situation for our participants. Again UJ Sport, together with their stakeholders encourage all to come out and support, finals will be hosted on Sunday, the 3rd of September 2017, come join us and be a witness to the amazing SA football talent we have.

By Jabu Mthombeni