The praise and compliments that followed the conclusion of Stanturf United’s Tournament of Dreams on Sunday is validation for the Tournament Director, Safwaan Arendse, that they have outdone themselves.
Needless to say, the third edition went down “smoothly and without any drama or glitches.”
“Soccer was the winner and that is what it is all about,” Arendse told No Bones with Jones. “We are merely the vehicle and provided the platform for the players and the officials to shine and to amke their dreams come true.
“I am really humbled by the compliments. But I could not have done it without the amazing organising committee, so they deserve all the credit,” Arendse added.
No one can also argue that it was a fluke or a lucky shot when Liverpool-Portland walked away with the honours for 2023.
The facts are there – not only have they overcome the proverbial group (E) of death, which included teams like the Mitchells Plain District Football Association’s champion, Yaknocka FC, Meadowridge AFC and Wanderers XI – but they have done it in style.
Liverpool-Portland scored 12 goals and conceded only one during the entire tournament and that is what set them up for their maiden success in this ever-growing and popular year-end tournament which kicked off with 48 teams.
“For me as a coach it was the perfect way to end off our season,” said a proud coach Faizel Adams. “The guys have really been on top of their game and deserve all the credit. Speaking about credit, I have to compliment my coaching staff, like Chesney Medell (assistant coach) and our physio Yousha Adams, as they did what was needed and expected from them.”
Adams was also rather impressed with how the event was run without any “drama or glitches”.
“I also need to commend Safwaan Arendse and his organising committee for a well-run tournament, it was well organised and everything went smoothly. We will definitely be back next year as we need to defend our title,” Adams concluded.
Similarly, it is a fitting end for coach Bayandi Sikiti’s Coke Cup champion side, Dangerous Heroes, who won the inaugural ladies’ section after beating Rygersdal 2-0 in the final.
Sikiti and his player Anathi Nqothani also bagged the coach and player of the tournament respectively which was more affirmation of their fantastic display.
Individual awards
Men’s Player of the Tournament – Craig Solomon (Wanderers Xl)
Men’s Goalkeeper of the Tournament – Dylon Van Zyl (Wanderers Xl)
Men’s Coach of the tournament – Ziyaad Isaacs (Riverton)
Top Goal Scorer – Chad Goliath – (Riverton)
Team of the tournament – Riverton (LFA Mitchells Plain)
Ladies Player of the Tournament – Anathi Nqothani (Dangerous Herous)
Ladies Goalkeeper of the Tournament – Waseemah Scott (Rygersdal)
Ladies coach of the Tournament – Bayanda Sikiti (Dangerous Heroes)
Ladies Top goal Scorer – Anwaal Davids (Salt River Blackpool)
Team of the Tournament – Salt River Blackpool (Cape District FA)
Male Referee of the Tournament – Chadwin Mamba
Female Referee of the Tournament – Shamiema Arnold
Most Improve Referee of the Tournament – Mikhail Jack
