The inaugural Castle Africa 5’s provided communities with a rare opportunity to form bonds on the field of play, but also unlocking the future of African Football. African football legend Samuel Eto’o said the standard of football he witnessed in Lusaka was spectacular and the sportsmanship displayed by the teams was a great foundation to form amazing friendships in and outside the football fields.
South Africa’s Milano FC were crowned the ultimate champions of the inaugural Castle Africa 5’s tournament, after defeating the tournament hosts, Stout One FC of Zambia 3 -1 in the final held at the Futsal & Sports Complex in Lusaka on Sunday,27 May 2018.
Zimbabwean side, Dairy Board FC, claimed third place in the tournament with a 4 – 1 victory over Tanzania’s BMM FC, who fought a good fight to not only get to the play-offs but also throughout the tournament.
The Final match started off on an interesting note when the home team, gave the SA side an unexpected lead in the 9thminute when Doisy Soko released a brilliant shot to give his side a lead.
South Africa maintained possession of the game in the first half as Kyle Koert who was later awarded the Most Valuable Player award attempted multiple shots on target in a quest to find a goal against the not easily penetrable Zambian defence.
The reward came early in the second half for Koert when he blasted past the Zambian backline to score an equalizer, Sibusiso Makhoba and Luciano Van Heerden soon followed suit to seal off the deal.
This unique tournament has been proclaimed as acclaimed Africa’s biggest five-a-side social tournament and brings together teams from Lesotho, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland who haves won their respective National Finals as well as invitational teams in the reigning champions & media select.
To illustrate the magnitude of the CASTLE AFRICA 5s, the tournament is backed by of one of the World’s greatest athletes from Africa, former Cameroonian National Team striker, Samuel Eto’o who is a four-time recipient of the African Footballer of the Year award and has played in three World Cup tournaments.
Eto’o headlined a cast of former footballers that included Zambia’s AFCON winning captain Christopher Katongo, Brian Baloyi {SA}, Lehlohonolo Seema {Lesotho}, Tinashe Nengomasha {Zimbabwe}, Ivo Mapunda {Tanzani} and Siza Dlamini {Swaziland} who served as mentors for their respective teams in the campaign.
Castle Lager has sponsored football on the continent for over 60 years, and continues to provide fans with the opportunity to live-out their passion for the beautiful game through this unique and exciting five-a-side tournament.
Castle Lager’s Brand Director, Vaughan Croeser said that the 2018 edition of the Castle Africa 5’s was a resounding success and that Castle Lager’s aims to grow its footprint in the continent through this five – a – side tournament.
“The tournament has been a huge success and. Castle Lager has always fortified the bonds of belonging and true friendship. We believe that social football is an ideal platform to sustain these significant societal interactions.”
“We are proud to have introduced this five-a-side tournament, which is a progressive, fast paced and accessible way to play the beautiful game,” Croeser concluded.
The ultimate prize for the winning team is a trip to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, hosted by football legend, Samuel Eto’o from the 24 – 28 June 2018.
These are true Legends of Football…this guy has invested so much in his home country unlike our Great Galu who takes out to his trophy wife in RSA. You should see his beautiful black wife Georgette Eto’o .