Philly's Games: All you need to know

Two days before the start of the 31st edition of the Philly's Games, we take a look at the teams that will be taking part in the tournament to be held in various parts of Tembisa. With all teams ready and raring to go, all eyes will be on last year’s winners. The games will be live on SuperSport channels 202 and 209.

The tournament draws a crowd of about 13 000 spectators a day at the venue, and with DStv coming on board to show the games live, the reach is far and wide in the continent. With an average of four games a day, this is a great way to discover talent from the comfort of your home while you enjoy the festive season if you can’t make it to the matchday venue.

The Teams

TSO XI

The team was formed in 2014 and are known as the Hummerboys. They are from Umfuyaneni Section in Tembisa, and are yet to win a major tournament but believe in playing great football to entertain the crowd.

DESTROYERS FC

Formed only last year, the team from Tembisa have already won the 2022 edition of the Mosehle games, and they are known as the Indomitable Force. They believe nothing beats unity, teamwork and hard work, and the coach says they have an exciting group of energetic and talented players. The team would like to see 10+ players in the DStv Premiership, Motsepe Foundation and DDC leagues, with some playing internationally.

ISITHEMBISO FC

Formed in 2019, the team from Phomolong in Tembisa have already won a couple of tournaments including the Philly’s Games in 2020, Sir Annual tournament and the LGBTI tournament. Known for their offensive play, they do everything to dominate the opponent and they are popularly known as Ithemba lase Kasi.

MUSA UNITED FC

The team from Kathlehong is known as Ama2k, was formed in 2016 and have already won the Kathlehong community games. They have a popular player named Sihle Madoda (known as Boss Zonke) and will be making their debut at the tournament.

AT MAMBAS FC

With more than a decade of existence, this team draws a large following anywhere they play and have become a household name at Kasi tournaments. They have talented players like Blackberry, Wakko Jacko and Tony, with Professor as their leader. They are last year's runners up, and will be hoping to do better at this edition. Their players are mostly based in Soweto and took part in the inaugural DStv Champ of Champs earlier this year, as they had won the Imbewuentle tournament in Daveyton.

ABARONDOLI FC

Formed in 2002, the team from Tembisa have had the likes of former Bafana Bafana international George Maluleke play in their colours before turning pro. The team believes in playing for the pride of their neighbourhood.

GWARA-GWARA FC

Formed in 2016, the team is popularly known as Bhola Lom’Swenko and they hail from Mainline in Tembisa. They are the 2021 Etafeni Easter Games champions and play beautiful football according to their coach.

PANDA-PANDA FC

The team was formed in 2019 and are known as Phanda Phusha Play. They are yet to win any tournament

SUNRISE FC

The team from Lephalale in Limpopo was registered this year and were runners-up in the Masebe Cup in the Waterberg district.

AMANDLA FC

Known as "Ya Tsipa", the team was formed in 1999, and they are from Straightline in Tembisa. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi sat on the bench during the tournament as part of the technical team, and they have won the Philly's Games three times already in 2011, 2017 and 2018. They have also won the Mosehle Games in 2011.

IZIDLAMLILO FC

The Killers were formed in 2013 and include players from Tembisa and Daveyton. With no silverware to their name, they have been runners-up at the Pollen Ndlanya tournament, and they believe in playing beautiful entertaining football.

BOKO HARAM FC

Phinda Futhi Futhi are from Ebony and Ivory Park. Formed in 2007, they have won the Pick n Pay Cup and the SAB Seniors Cup, and they enjoy playing a pressing game.

JONET 015 FC

This is another team from the province of Limpopo at the tournament. Nicknamed Football Church, the team was formed in 2005 in Moletji.

DOORNKOP STUDENTS FC

This is the team that unleashed Mfundo Vilakazi in last year’s tournament, and he immediately became a social media favourite. The team was formed in 2008 and are from Snake-Park (Soweto). They are yet to win any major Kasi tournaments. Their vision is to become the centre of football, maths and science institutions.

AMBASSADORS FC

Cheese Bois are from Mainline (Tembisa), and they are the defending champions, having won the Philly's Games last year. They have won Powerico, Pirates Cup, and the Easter Games two times. They also featured in the DStv eKasi Champ of Champs, which saw a couple of their players being snapped up by Motsepe Foundation sides at the start of the 2022-23 season

REBELS FC

The team formed in 2010 play in the south of Johannesburg's SAB League. They have won the Steven Pienaar tournament four times, and they claim that they are about winning and dominating wherever they play. The team wants to play in the NFD in the next five years.

AMA BEE FC

Tender Boys was formed in 2006. The previous winners of the tournament are all about total football and development.

BAYEKANE FC

The Blues were formed in 2015 with no silverware to their name, but they are focused on developing and giving opportunities to youngsters.