Champ of Champs semis to bring Soweto to standstill

Another entertaining weekend of kasi diski awaits the football-loving public of Soweto, as the DStv eKasi Champ of Champs returns with some mouth-watering cup and plate semifinal matches.

The inaugural DStv eKasi Champ of Champs has been the talk of the town since it commenced on Youth Day, with football legends such as Esrom Nyandoro, Jan ‘Malombo’ Lechaba, Steve Sekano and newly-appointed Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane making their way to see some of the Gauteng township football’s most talented players entertaining the packed crowds with goals and skills that have trended on different social media platforms.

With top performers such as Mpho ‘Podolsky’ Modise of Beke le Beke FC, La Masia’s Courbon "Madala Zizou" Woodington and lethal striker Mpho ‘Sniper’ Mlangeni of Chipolopolo in action, there is a lot both scouts and supporters can look forward to in the cup and plate semifinals.

The #BossoKeng Champ of Champs gives every team a shot at silverware, with the plate section semifinal set to kick off on Saturday at Moletsane Sports Complex in Soweto.

Vaal Monate take on Free Agent FC in the first match of the day, scheduled for 1pm.

Vaal Monate will go into the game in better form compared to their opponents, after finishing third in group B on four points.

Free Agents only collected one point in their tightly contested goalless draw against AT Mambas on the opening day of the competition.

The second plate semifinal will see township favourites Mambas and Ambassadors having a go at one another at 3pm, in a repeat of the 2021 Philly’s Games final.

This is an opportunity for Mambas to avenge their final defeat to Ambassadors. Mambas narrowly missed out on a place in the cup semifinals, finishing undefeated in third place in group A, a point behind second-placed Chego 17.

Ambassadors, though, would want to end the competition on a high after a disappointing group stage campaign which saw them bottom without a point.

After the plate semifinals, the final four in the cup section will also face off at Moletsane Sports Complex on Sunday, 26 June, for the ultimate prize of R250 000.

La Masia from Westbury, who topped Group A and were unbeaten during the process, will take on the side which finished second in Group A, Chego 17 FC, at 1pm.

Chego’s only defeat in the competition came on the opening day at the hands of Beke le Beke.

La Masia have impressed the crowds with their entertaining football in the competition, showing that they are balanced both in attack and defence.

They have scored five goals and conceded two times in their three matches up to now, while Chego have rattled the back of the net four times and have let in as many.

In the other cup semifinal at 3pm, group A winners Beke le Beke from the Vaal meets Chipopolo, who finished second in group B.

Beke le Beke are the second highest scoring team in the competition thus far, with seven goals in three matches. Chipopolo, however, have scored eight times and this should give the supporters in Soweto reason to believe that this clash will be a goal fest.

Both sides have attacking players who are not easy to contain, so the defenders can expect a tough afternoon.

Plate semifinal fixture (Moletsane Sports Complex)

Saturday, 25 June

Vaal Monate FC v Free Agent FC, 1pm

A.T. Mambas FC v Ambassadors FC, 3pm

Cup semifinal fixture (Moletsane Sports Complex)

Sunday, 26 June

La Masia FC v Chego17 FC, 1pm

Beke le Beke FC v Chipolopolo FC, 3pm