On the 23^rd of April a 5 a side tournament was hosted in Cosmo City Ext 6, by the island, where Islanders FC refine their skills and draw community members together to support “super diski”.

The aim of the tournament was firstly, to unify all people of Cosmo (Taxi drivers, Soccer teams, shop owners and Taverns by indulging in South Africa’s favourite pass time: playing/watching soccer. And secondly to fundraise for soccer boots, shin pads and other soccer equipment.

Teams were invited within Cosmo and surrounding areas namely Zandspruit, Itsoseng and Kagiso. Competition was stiff before the day with teams checking up on each other, Masters teams (teams over 30years), Nigerian tavern owners, different soccer coaches, Arab shop owners, you name it!

With everything set up for a lively event where all invited would rough it out in pursuit of the R1000 prize money, nothing could go wrong… or so we thought.

The weather on the 23^rd was boisterous, with thunder storms and cold buzzing wind setting the tone of the day. War was about to take place so teams backed out in the 11^th hour except 5 courageous, confident gladiator camps:

• Team O
• Sifuna Lezaka FC
• Sithole FC
• Bra Nkosi FC
• Doug FC

With the 5 teams ready to go all the way, the format of the tournament was as follows:

• 2 games per team
• 3 pts for the winning team, 1pt if the game ends a tie and no points for the losing team
• coin toss decides the fixtures

The top 2 teams were deserving as Doug FC showed their pedigree by being the only side that did not let a goal past them and Sithole FC nudging Sifuna Lezaka FC out of the competition with a dramatic last minute goal to edge them to a 3-2 victory.

With the best two teams about to take each other on, the crowd grew ever more with the 3 losing teams bowing out gracefully , music pumping louder and the sun dipping by the minute.

The tie was emotional and heart felt. The opponents were in it with their all. The half time score 0 – 0. The tussle went on ‘til the last 10minutes when the referee awarded a penalty kick to Sithole FC for a handball within a metre from the goal posts. Doug FC was not having it.

The battle was won off the field with both aims achieved, a lively crowd from all blocks of Cosmo City mingling, enjoying the soccer on display and soccer boots plus other soccer accessories being awarded to the initiative.

Thank you to the teams and all who supported the event, and i’ll keep you posted on future combats!