Local boys go down to eventual winners

SWALLOWS were no match for eventual winners Masande in the third annual Carling League of Champions played at the Nike Football Centre in Pimville, Soweto at the weekend.

Six teams from across the country were divided into two groups and played a round robin.

Swallows won the right to represent the Eastern Cape when they won the playoffs at the Saints field in Gelvandale last week.

The northern areas outfit got off to an excellent start when they beat Shu's Boys 2-1 in their first round-robin match.

In their second match they were thrashed 4-0 by Masande.

The champions from Cape Town were unstoppable in the tournament, scoring 13 goals without reply.

In addition to brushing aside Swallows, they thrashed Sbu's Boys 5-0 in their opening match and Ama-Gents 4-0 in the finals.

Masande not only won the coveted Carling League of Champions trophy, but walked away with a R20000 cheque and will return to Johannesburg with their partners on July 26, for the 2014 Carling Black Label Cup between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.

Carling Black Label Brand campaign manager Devlin Lakay summed up what has been a well-executed 2014 Carling League of Champions.

"Underlying the success of the Carling League of Champions is the strong vision that Carling Black Label has, to celebrate everyday men for the Champions that they truly are.

"We went out to different parts of the country and provided a unique opportunity for communities to be rewarded through football.

" Teams give it their all, while residents rally behind the heroes."

None of the teams in the competition are regular clubs but represent taverns in their areas. - Mogan Segadavan