Soweto to host global junior soccer tournament
10 March 2016
Soweto will next week host some of the leading junior teams in world football in this year’s edition of Future Champions International tournament that will also feature five local clubs.
Seven under-17 teams – from China, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Mexico, Brazil and Mozambique – will be joined by junior teams from the ranks of Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs, Black Aces, Bidvest Wits and Mamelodi Sundowns at the Phefeni Football Centre from Monday March 14 to Saturday March 19.
The tournament, now in its eighth year, is organised by Global Sports International in partnership with the Gauteng Provincial Government, South African Football Association and City of Johannesburg. The teams are divided into four groups of three each, and will play each other in a round robin format. The top sides in each group will advance to the semifinals, whereas the remaining eight will play off for the remaining positions.
Group A will see Pirates and Chiefs play each other in a Soweto derby. The two sides are in the same group as Clube Atletico Mineiro of Brazil.
Mexican side Club Tijuana are in Group B with top Belgian outfit Club Brugge and Mamelodi Sundowns in what promises to be a fiercely contested pool. Group C will pit Chinese team Shandong Luneng against Spanish giants Atletico Madrid and Black Aces, whereas Group D will feature defending champions Torino of Italy, Ferroviario de Maputo and Bidvest Wits.
The teams include four former winners – three-time champions Atletico Mineiro, Club Tijuan, Shandong Luneng and Torino.
Speaking at the launch at Safa House on Wednesday March 9, Johannesburg councillor Mahlomola Kekana said the City was pleased to host such an important event on the global junior football calendar.
“This is further testimony that Joburg is a world-class African city that can host international events successfully,” he said.
Tournament Director Ray Whelan said the Future Champions Gauteng tournament was now a well-established event on the football calendar and that the standard of football was very high.
“We’re thrilled to be back in Soweto, where the event began, and we enjoy working with Safa and, in particular, the Soweto Local Football Association. We hope football fans from Gauteng will come to watch top-class action with great local interest,” said Whelan.
“The tournament will be streamed live all over the world.”
Ivor Hoff of Gauteng’s Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation said all five Gauteng teams competing in this year’s event had a rich history of developing players.
“This should make it compelling viewing for any South African football fan and allows us to once again show that Gauteng is the enabler of sporting excellence,” he said.
The launch was also attended by representatives of the Premier Soccer League, Gauteng Tourism Authority, Gauteng Education Department and Safa. Entrance to the games is free.