Written by: Ndumiso Nxumalo

The uThungulu Municipality launched the 2nd addition of uThungulu Mayoral Cup was on Tuesday at Protea Hotel Waterfront, Richards Bay and promised exhilarating tournament.

This year uThungulu Mayoral Cup will include last year’s champion Amazulu FC, Thanda Royal Zulu with Bloemfontein Celtics and Golden Arrows which will be participating for the first time in the tournament.

UThungulu District Municipality Mayor, Cllr Thembeka Mchunu said that they want to empower the youth in their district to be exposed to a professional level.

“We are proud that we will be having these big teams and I’m sure that our youth are going to benefit as Friday we are going to be having coaching clinics to empower our youth,” said Cllr Thembeka Mchunu.

Bloemfontein Celtic Managing Director Rali Ramabodu said he is happy that his side will be part of Mayoral Cup.

“Our team is very much prepared, we have released about nine players and signed new then players so we are taking the cup back to Bloemfontein with us,” said Ramabodu.

With an inclusive interview with Journalismiziko, Thanda Royal Zulu Captain Innocent Maela urged supporters to come in numbers to supports his side. “We are hungry for success and we have worked hard on training as you know that we are coming from the disappointing season,” said Maela.

“We have beefed up our squad and our pre-season was very solid, we have learnt from our mistakes so we have to make sure that we don’t repeat them this season,” added Maela.

AmaZulu Media Officer Nhlanhla Makhathini promised to retain their title on the weekend.

“We have signed the likes of Simphiwe lokwana, Musa Muhamadi and Zimbambean middlefielder Buthelezwe Ncube to boost the team and they will add a different dimension and we promised our supporters that we are going to win this cup and with the new coach on board, we hope to bounce back to Premier Soccer League,” said Makhathini.

The first game of the tournament will be the match between the defending champions Amazulu FC against Bloemfontein Celtic at 09H00, Golden Arrows again Thanda Royal Zulu, kick off at 11H00 and final at 15H00.

The tournament will be played at the Umhlathuze Sports Complex and tickets are available at Computicket, Checkers and Shoprite or R30.

*Caption: The panel at the UThungulu Mayoral Cup launch