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Nhlanhla Mbele
IMPANDE Football League preparations are underway ahead of the start of the rural league that is set for 16 February.
The league, which is meant to afford rural communities a chance to nurture their footballing talents, will feature 10 teams in and around the Empandeni area in Plumtree that include Baghdad, Hanyani, Kwite, Linda, Matankeni, Mhlotshana, Mkhayeni, Mvalweni, Phakamani and Silima football clubs.
Impande League chairman Menrand Sibanda said the league would commence in mid-February and games would be played once every fortnight.
“The basis of this initiative is to try by all means to keep the boys away from drugs and to unite the communities in and around Empandeni area.
“The league teams will be required to field at least seven Under-20 players out of 25 players and a minimum of three of these young stars should be given game time in every match,” said Sibanda.
Sibanda said he believed that talent was not only restricted to urban areas and this development would ensure that rural football was put on the map.
“We want to set our own history and we are inviting ideas from those who are well versed with these things to help us to improve our game of football and on the running of the league,” he said.
At the end of the season, the top four teams will battle it out in an annual knock-out tournament.
Last year in December, Impande Football League played host to the third edition of the Impande HomeComing Trophy at Mhlotshana Business Centre.
Four teams took part in the tournament and Mhlotshana were crowned homecoming trophy champions beating Phakamani 2-0 in the final to clinch the trophy.
Online Reporter