Discovery Walter Sisulu Soccer Challenge kicks off in Soweto

Set to unfold at the Nike Training Centre in Pimville, Soweto, the event kicks off on Friday and runs through 23 December, featuring a total 64 men's teams.

Having originated in 2002, this renowned township festive tournament has steadily flourished, fostering the development of exceptional players who have subsequently made their mark on the international stage and contributed to various clubs in the Premier Soccer League and overseas.

Phil Mogodi, the President of the South African Football Association in Soweto, is eagerly anticipating the commencement of action in South Africa’s largest township.

“This year marks not only a celebration of entertainment but also a commemoration of 20 years of development in the townships," Mogodi told SABC Sport.

"The tournament is strategically hosted during the festive season to ensure that parents can actively participate by watching their children display their talents on the football field.

"Over the course of this extended, month-long football extravaganza, everyone is invited to join in on the excitement. 

"Our prize lies in having welcomed esteemed players like Sibusiso Vilakazi, Percy Tau, Portia Modise, Lyle Foster, Ronwen Williams, Andile Dlamini, and many others to this tournament.

"It stands as a festival for those aspiring to follow in the footsteps of our nation’s top footballers, and each year witnesses a competition more fiercely contested than the preceding one. 

"As I’ve expressed before, and reiterate now, participating in such a tournament is immeasurable and an absolute necessity for any serious footballer, contributing to refined skills, determination, and knowledge by the final whistle."