Tournament manager Peter Lathane (left), Greater letaba municipality representative Councillor Mothipa Manyama (second from left) and Tournament sponsor Apostle Tebogo Ramoshaba (right) hand over the trophy to 2022 champions Happy Boys.
The Tebogo Ramoshaba soccer and netball tournament held at Kgapane local ground from the 19th to the 26th of December was a huge success.
Soccer lovers in Kgapane and Bolobedu at large came in great numbers to support the annual “five-star” event.
Unlike in the previous year, only 16 competitive teams participated in the round robin format of the tournament instead of the usual 20. However, the standard of football was very high, especially in the knockout stage.
Two-time champions Rapho Kickers FC who dominated the tournament since its inception in 2020 could not make it out of the group stage this time around.
They lost their opening game 1-0 against last year’s runners-up Golden City FC and went on to draw 1-1 with arch-rivals Tshepo Academy FC.
Fans believe the defending champions destroyed their chances of winning the tournament for the third year running by playing multiple tournaments instead of focusing on one.
The only game they won was on walk-over against Itieleng FC who failed to honour their game.
Last year’s runners-up Golden City fc from Mokwakwaila gave a great display of their best football this year, especially in the group and quarterfinal stages.
They mesmerized their opponents with their brilliant passing game and dazzling dribbling skills. However, they were, unfortunately, beaten 3-0 in the semi-finals by the experienced Rapitsi FC who were on top of their game this year.
Eventual winners, Happy Boys FC from Khekwitini village, edged out the brilliant Tshepo Academy FC by a narrow 1-0 to win their place in their first ever final of this tournament. Their victory ushered a setback for most football fanatics in Kgapane township, whose hope of having a local team lift the trophy was dashed.
Other Kgapane based clubs such as much improved United FC, aka Market Boys, and the youthful Crocodiles FC were eliminated in the quarterfinal stage of the tournament. Only the newbies, Raster FC, got eliminated in the group stage without winning a single game.
Tshepo Academy U/13 lost to Mashona U/13 in the curtain-raiser game played before the final. Mashona lifted the first ever annual U-13 tournament trophy.
The other curtain-raiser game between Orlando Pirates supporters and Kaizer chiefs’ supporters ended in a 0-0 draw. Most players of both the two clubs were veteran of the former CCV Chiefs, Kgapane Sweepers, Kgapane Destroyers, and Rapitsi two for joy. They entertained the large crowd with their legendary skills.
“Mountain boys,” as Rapitsi, are affectionately known to their supporters, descended on the highly gifted Happy Boys in the final, but their efforts got thwarted. “Khekwitini Boys” came back twice from one goal deficit to force the game into penalties after a 2-2 draw.
They scored all their penalty kicks while Rapitsi missed theirs twice. The game ended in a 4-2 victory for Happy Boys. They won R30 000 first prize and gold medals while Rapitsi received R15 000 and silver medals.
In the losers final, Golden City relegated Tshepo Academy to the fourth spot with a slender 1-0 lead to win R11 000 and bronze medals while Academy received R8000 only.
In netball, the experienced Beke le Beke team from Turfloop beat Bodupe Extreme Eagles in the final to win R3500 first prize, a trophy, and gold medals
Tournament sponsor Apostle Tebogo Ramoshaba, who was a great player in his time, thanked the people of kgapane township and the clubs for supporting the event, especially the new sponsors who partnered with him this year.
“I would like to thank the new sponsors: Dr Maowasha for helping the players with first aid, Khupi Ratsatsi, for offering drinks for the players and Tebatso Manyama of King Vleis clothing brand for R10 000 sponsorship”
He also thanked tournament organizers Bishop Sebola and Tshepo Sebopetsa, the greater letaba municipality, represented by Councillor Mothipa Manyama, tournament adviser Frank Moloto and tournament manager Peter Lathane for a work welcome.
Happy Boys are the champions of the Tebogo Ramoshaba annual soccer tournament 2022.
