THE weather may have been offside for this time of year, but the soccer certainly was not, with more than 7 000 football fans flocking to East London’s Absa Stadium for the final games of the annual Buffalo City Cup Challenge.

Games during the challenge were played at Absa and Jan Smuts stadiums in East London, and Victoria Ground in King William’s Town.

On Saturday, 6 December, Blackburn Rovers and OR Cosmos were victorious over the boys of Nefa and African Bombers, respectively. The Guys also showed African Winners at the Victoria Grounds what they were made of, with 5-0 win in semi finals. The Guys also won games against Matatiele Professionals at the quarter finals and against African Juventus.

Bush Bucks and Liverpool lost the third place pay offs but walked away with R10 000 prize money each. OR Cosmos received R15 000, while The Guys walked away with R20 000, a full kit and silver medals for their hard work.

Also on the menu were prizes for individual achievers: best coach was Anele Mpambani from African Winners; most disciplined club was Abahlobo; and player of the tournament was awarded to OR Cosmos’ Solomzi Makholwe. All took home R1 000 in prize money.

Two players from The Guys also won awards – Ishmael Maluleka won the golden boot and Ludwe Mpakumpaku was best goalkeeper. Maluleka scored six goals throughout the tournament.

The challenge kicked off on 23 November with a game between Bay United and Ajax Cape Town, won by the latter. The following week, on 30 November, all eyes were on the Telkom Charity Cup semi-final between Ajax Cape Town and Free State Stars; again the Cape Town boys were the winners. The game was also hosted by the municipality.

According to a media statement issued by the City, the challenge is expected to revive the football spirit in townships, villages and city suburbs. The theme this year was Woza uzobona: we can’t wait to meet you, and more than 30 amateur and professional teams from around the province battled it out at various Buffalo City stadiums.

It features teams from the Vodacom League, SAB Regional League and Metropolitan League.

“The challenge [also hosts] local teams, but the games must be of high standard and promote football in Buffalo City,” said Vuyo Zambodla, the municipality’s executive support services director. “Also, [it is set] to create excitement and vibe throughout the city.”

Noting the challenges of holding such a tournament, Zambodla said the municipality needed more time and sponsors to be able to market it to the standard it was supposed to have. Buffalo City had invested close to R500 000 in it, “in footing the logistical and technical arrangements that include transport, accommodation and apparel”.

In addition, the competition was part of the City’s plan to lobby as a potential base camp for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. “The City is indeed positioning itself as a football destination of choice for national games, international matches,” reads a media statement.

Zambodla added that the City’s hope was to link its vision - “to be a people-centred place of opportunity where basic needs are met in a safe, healthy and sustainable environment” - to the World Cup.

He mentioned that FIFA had accepted one of East London’s beachfront hotels as potential accommodation for the international event. “As a potential base camp city we are pleased and this will put us on the world map.”