The 2022/23 edition of the Philly’s Games concluded in spectacular fashion after 1 Lion FC were officially crowned champions of Mzansi’s most popular off-season tournament, following their nail-biting 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Isithembiso FC following a goalless stalemate at the Tswelopele Sport Centre in Esiqongweni, Tembisa.
The newly-crowned champions walked away with the gold medal which was accompanied by the R200 000.00 winner’s cash prize, while Isithembiso FC took home a R150 000.00 consolation as the tournament runner’s up.
Since the start of the DStv-sponsored tournament, all eyes have been glued on the Philly’s Games, with scores of fans travelling from different parts of Gauteng to enjoy football the kasi way, while DStv brought all the live action and entertainment for Mzansi to enjoy in its trusted High Definition broadcast on SuperSport.
As expected, the tournament lived up to its high expectations of showcasing South Africa’s unique football identity, that delicately fuses traditionally structured football with the colourful flair and flavour of Mzansi’s shibobos and tsamayas that got the country talking throughout the tournament.
In addition to the flair and excitement, players such as Kamo Masanabo, who finished as the tournament’s top goalscorer (6) will certainly be one to look out for in the near future in the colours of any of the DStv Premiership or Diski Challenge clubs who sent their scouts to the tournament.
Expressing his full satisfaction on the overall outcome of the tournament, DStv Sponsorship Manager, Tshepiso Sathekge hailed the organisation of the games as well as the great turnout of fans from Tembisa and surrounding areas for supporting the tournament throughout the 13-match days.
“As DStv, we are once again proud to have been at the forefront of football development through our sponsorship of the Philly’s Games. Not only have we continued to showcase our passion for South African football through this extension of our football properties, we are proud to have made such a uniquely exciting product to be easily accessible to viewers across the country. We want to thank our partners at the Philly’s Game for a professionally organised event and more importantly, we extend our utmost gratitude to the fans that came out in their numbers as well as the viewers who enjoyed the live action on SuperSport” said Sathekge.
Philly’s Games founder and chairman, Philemon Mathebula said the Philly’s Games have evolved into an entirely new product, thanks to the world-class packaging of the tournament that DStv has brought through its partnership.
“Today marked the conclusion of yet another edition of the Philly’s Games. However, thanks to our partnership with DStv, this year’s edition was celebrated by football fans from all corners of South Africa, thanks to the amazing packaging and live broadcast of all our matches. A huge congratulations to 1 Lion FC for winning the tournament and a big thank you to all the participating teams for adding on to the growing standard and popularity of the games. We also want to extend our appreciation to the fans who came out in their numbers and of course those who tuned in from the comfort of their homes thanks to DStv’s high quality production and broadcast of the games” concluded Mathebula.