Lwazi Khuboni 

The KwaZulu-Natal based Premier Soccer League and National First Division teams to battle for the KZN Premiers Cup pre-season tournament from 27-28 of July.

The two day tournament will take place at Princess Magogo stadium in KwaMashu on the 27^th and the semi- finals and finals will be at King Zwelithini stadium in Umlazi on the 28^th.

The KwaZulu-Natal government gave R4 million to assist the clubs with pre-season preparations and all the teams agreed to split the money for each team to get R585 000.

In return, the KZN Government will receive assistance from all the clubs and they will participate in the coaching clinics and sport equipment handovers in selected schools in the province.

KZN MEC of Education Kwazi Mshengu said he is aware of the tournaments and that teams will embark on social responsibility programmes. There will be visiting schools and conducting soccer clinics.

“It will expose young people into the world of football, but it should not be occasionally, in fact we want all the teams to adopt the  particular set of schools beyond the social responsibility that you do after this tournament so that you know in the entire year, you are responsible to discover talent in these schools,” said Mshengu.

He added that the Department of Education is working with the Department of Sport and Recreation and are mandated to revive sport in schools.

This tournament will allow teams to test their fitness level, squad and also give new and young players a chance to play.

Maritzburg United coach Eric Tinkler said, “For me this going to be my first premier cup involvement and being the type of person I am I hope I can win this competition and start the season well.”

“The must win environment that is created and its makes it difficult for coaches to take the risk of bringing in younger players, but I am a big fan of youth development,” he said.

Entrance will be free in both stadiums on the day of the games.

2019 KZN Premiers Cup fixtures:

27 July, Saturday at Princess Magogo Stadium:

1st Quarter-Final: Uthongathi FC VS AmaZulu FC, 11:00am.

2nd Quarter-Final: Richards Bay VS Real Kings, 13:00pm.

3rd Quarter-Final: Royal Eagles VS Maritzburg United, 15:00pm.

28 July, Sunday at King Zwelithini Stadium (Semi-Finals):

1st Semi-Final: Golden Arrows VS 1st Quarter-Final Winner, 09:00am.

2nd Semi-Final: 2nd Quarter-Final Winner v 3rd Quarter-Final Winner, 11:30am.

Final at 3:00pm.

Pictures: Mandisa Magubane