Academy: close but no cigar

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The winner of the much anticipated Easter Weekend Football Tournament, Ezithembel'ebatheni Football Club from Gqeberha, walked off with R40 000 in prizemoney after beating Camdeboo Academy FC 2-1 in the final at Msizakhe Stadium in Graaff-Reinet.

Camdeboo received R20 000 as runners-up and EC Celtics of Dispatch was awarded R10 000 for their worthy third place.

PHOTO GALLERY: Weekend Football Tournament

This year 24 teams took part in the annual tournament, attracting teams from all over the Eastern Cape, and was played at two venues, Masizakhe Stadium and Botanics, from 7 to 10 April.

Ezithembel'ebatheni, based in Mother-well in the Windy City, came to Graaff-Reinet as underdogs, and without even a full complement of substitute players, arriving with eleven players and two goalkeepers. The club was only established in 2020 during the pandemic, but have already produced players like Thulani Mini who plays for Chippa United FC.

Ezithembel'ebatheni coach, Simamnkele Betela, thanked team captain, Okuhle Mpayipheli and the experienced players, Yibanathi Ndwayana, Mpumzi Sqhwala, Cosmas Mzizi and Hlanganani Nogwaba for doing a great job guiding the young players to victory this Easter.

Ezithembel'ebatheni's opening match was against Future Stars from Graaff- Reinet whom they beat 2 - 1. After also beating one of Masizakhe's top clubs, Portugal Birds FC, the elated Ezithembel'ebatheni team progressed to the second round.

In the quarter finals they beat Lee United from Graaff-Reinet 3 - 2 and won their semi-final match against Nyathi FC from Cradock to face the host team, Camdeboo Academy in the final.

One of the strongest teams, EC Celtics from Dispatch, impressed one and all when they beat the 2022 Easter Weekend Tournament champions, Black Arrows 5 - 1.

They then also beat Lupapasi United of Port St Johns in the quarter finals 5 - 0, but their hopes were dashed when their winning streak were ended 2 - 1 by Camdeboo Academy in the semi-finals.

The organisers are grateful to the sponsors, Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality and Sarah Baartman District Municipality who made the tournament possible.

Player of the Tournament, Athule 'Nyemer' Libazi (right) of Ezithembel'ebatheni FC with his coach, 'Sma' Betela.