By Jacob Mawela.
La Masia were crowned champions of the 2025 edition of the Clinix Walter Sisulu Soccer Challenge at Nike’s Shapa Soweto sports complex in Klipspruit, Soweto, on the afternoon of December 23.
After 23 days of non-stop action, the tournament drew to an eventful conclusion when the club claimed the senior men’s category of the event by overcoming Mofolo United Roma FC 4-0 – thus claiming the R150 000 winner’s prize and their second of the competition after their previously triumph in 2017.
The final was a repeat of last year’s Round of 16 tie between the two rivals, which Mofolo United Roma won 2-0. But this time around, the Westbury outfit dominated their Soweto opponent by going to the half time break leading them 2-0 and thereafter adding two more goals in the second stanza for a lopsided score line.
The men’s final was one of three played on the day and was preceded by Diepkloof Ladies FC’s victory in the women’s division, as well as Maseme FC’s in the U17 men’s category – in what was the annual showcase’s twenty third edition.
Diepkloof Ladies edged out Mito Stars Ladies FC 1-0 while Maseme FC needed penalties to claim victory over a tough East Rand Atletic Club 5-4 – after the two sides had battled to a 1-1 stalemate at the end of regulation time.
Additionally, La Masia and Diepkloof Ladies FC players claimed most of the individual honours on offer, with two of the former’s players clinching awards for Goalkeeper of the Tournament and Player of the Match in the Final – whilst the latter’s players made a clean sweep of all the awards for Player of the Tournament, Goalkeeper of the Tournament, Top Goalscorer of the Tournament and Player of the Match in the Final.
Over the period of its existence, the tournament has seen the likes of former Banyana Banyana captain Simphiwe Dludlu, current Banyana Banyana captain Refilwe Jane as well as former Bafana Bafana players, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Sibusiso Vilakazi and Thulani Serero, all showcase their talents in it – before furthering their careers.
One of a pick of soccer tournaments played annually at various townships stretching from Soweto, Ekurhuleni and Sedibeng during the December summer school holidays, the Clinix Walter Sisulu Soccer Challenge is a crowd-puller which always attracts luminaries – with et al., current Amazulu FC head coach Arthur Zwane and ex-players, Johannes “Skipper” Khomane and Buddha Mathate, in attendance at this year’s final.
Proferred the tournament’s director Phil “Chippa” Mogodi: “What we witnessed here today is a clear sign that every year the standards are raised in this competition. We have to congratulate La Masia, Diepkloof Ladies FC and Maseme FC for winning the trophy this time around.”
Also the head of the Soweto Football Association (SFA) – under whose auspices the event is hosted – Mogodi added: “Our greatest gratitude goes to Dr Kop Matseke, the founder and Group CEO of the Clinix Health Group who has made this tournament possible.”
The Clinix Walter Sisulu Soccer Challenge was started in honour of the late antiapartheid activist couple, Walter Sisulu and his wife Albertina Sisulu.
The tournament’s sponsor, the Clinix Health Group was founded by Dr Khamane Obed Peter Matseke in 1992 and continues to be a contributor of quality healthcare in South Africa provided by approximately 2600 individuals at seven hospitals spread across Soweto, Ekurhuleni, Sedibeng, Mahikeng and Phalaborwa.