Juniors compete in Junction Rovers tournament

Hout Bay Football Club clinched the inaugural Peter Groepies Memorial tournament title for under-15 soccer teams, hosted by Junction Rovers.

The three-day event ended at the Rygate sports ground in Athlone on Sunday where bumper crowds watched the Platinum, Gold, Bronze and Silver group finals, which were played simultaneously.

The 32 teams who participated were placed into eight groups consisting of four teams each and started on Wednesday.

Hout Bay beat Hamiltons 2-1 in a hotly contested Platinum final which saw a player from Hammies getting the red-card marching orders, with goals either side of the break coming from Kamva Bangani and Stanton Lewis.

But apart from claiming the main prize, Hout Bay’s Shahied Abrahams was named best coach, while his goalkeeper Umar Abrahams received the best goalkeeper award.

Groepies was Junction Rovers’ chairman before his death earlier this year.

Dawood Johannes, acting chairperson of club, said the decision to honour him is just one way of making sure the legacy of the outstanding administrator lives on. Groepies was also an active member of the Rygate LFA, said Johannes.

He expressed his delight at the huge response of the participating teams.

“We will definitely be staging a tournament next year. The response was great and the football which these young boys produced was of a high standard. This is certainly a great platform for the youngsters to showcase their talents,” added Johannes.

Porto FC defeated Jordan Callies 2-1 in the Gold section final; Junction Rovers beat Diadora 3-1 in the Silver Section final; and Bonteheuwel emerged victorious in the Bronze section by beating Hazendal 4-2 on penalties.