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The curtain is about to fall on what has been a thrilling season of the Maphuthe Funerals Development League, with the grand finale set to take place this Saturday, 13 December, at the United Sports Ground in Mohlaletsi. From 9:00 AM till late, soccer and netball lovers are in for a spectacular day of sporting action that will determine this year’s champions across both codes.
League organiser Phillip Tebeila couldn’t hide his excitement when speaking about the upcoming finals. The tournament, which was specifically designed to remove children from the streets and combat substance abuse among the youth in the community, has exceeded all expectations in terms of participation and the quality of football and netball on display throughout the season.
“We wanted to make sure that every participant feels valued and appreciated for their efforts throughout the season,” said Tebeila when discussing the prize structure for the finals. “The winning soccer team will walk away with a complete kit, gold medals for each player, and the championship cup.”
The prizes on offer are certainly impressive and reflect the commitment of the organisers to recognise excellence. In the soccer competition, the champions will receive a full kit, gold medals, and the main cup, while the runners-up will be rewarded with a kit, silver medals, and a smaller cup. The third and fourth-placed teams won’t go home empty-handed either, as they’ll each receive complete kits as recognition for their performances throughout the season.
The netball competition is equally well-rewarded, with the champions set to receive a kit, gold medals, and a cup, while the runners-up will get a kit, silver medals, and a cup of their own. “We believe in celebrating achievement at every level,” Tebeila explained. “Whether you finish first or fourth, you’ve contributed to something special in our community.”
But the recognition doesn’t stop there. Individual excellence will also be celebrated with special awards for top goal scorers, players of the season, best midfielders, and other outstanding performers across both codes. “These individual awards are very important because they recognise the players who have gone above and beyond for their teams,” noted Tebeila. “Football and netball are team sports, but we also want to celebrate those individuals who have truly shone this season.”
Looking at the soccer league standings, Dinoko FC has been the standout team this season, sitting pretty at the top of the table with an almost perfect record. They’ve played 17 matches, winning an incredible 16 games with just one loss, scoring 77 goals while conceding only 9. Their goal difference of 68 and 48 points clearly shows why they’re deserving champions elect. This has been a masterclass in consistency and attacking prowess that has left their opponents struggling to keep up.
Hot on their heels is Juventus FC in second place, though they’re some distance behind with 37 points from their 17 matches. They’ve won 12, drawn one, and lost four, with a respectable 39 goals scored and 11 conceded. The gap between first and second tells its own story about Dinoko FC’s dominance this season.
The battle for third place was equally exciting, with Bullets FC securing that spot with 34 points from 17 games. They’ve shown great fighting spirit with 10 wins, four draws, and three losses, maintaining a positive goal difference of 3. Rasta FC, despite playing fewer games, sits in fourth with 28 points, showing they’ve been competitive when they’ve taken the field.
The netball competition has been just as competitive, with Buffalo NC leading the charge at the top of the table. They’ve been impressive with three wins and one draw from four matches, scoring 63 goals while conceding 34. Juventus NC is breathing down their necks in second place, also with impressive statistics, having won three from four matches with 51 goals for and only 7 against.
Dinoko NC sits in third place on the netball table, while United NC and Debeila NC complete the top five. The netball competition has shown that the future of the sport is in good hands, with these young ladies displaying skill, determination, and sportsmanship throughout the tournament.
What makes this tournament particularly special is its community impact. The initiative by Maphuthe Funeral Parlour, under their motto “o ka se lahlege” (you shall not be lost), alongside Soma Event Production, has provided a positive outlet for young people who might otherwise find themselves on the streets and vulnerable to substance abuse.
“When we started this league, our main goal was to give these young people something positive to focus on,” Tebeila reflected. “The fact that we can now reward their hard work with proper prizes and recognition makes it even more meaningful. These kids have worked incredibly hard, and they deserve to be celebrated.”
The finals day promises to be something special, with KFC the Commentator set to provide live commentary throughout the day’s proceedings. The atmosphere at United Sports Ground is expected to be electric, with families and supporters from across the community expected to turn out in large numbers to witness the crowning of new champions and the presentation of individual awards.
For Phillip Tebeila and his organising team, this represents the culmination of months of hard work and planning. The success of the league has shown that when communities come together with a common purpose, remarkable things can happen. The sponsors, Maphuthe Funeral Parlour and Soma Event Production, have shown tremendous commitment to youth development and deserve credit for making this tournament and its generous prize structure possible.
As we head into finals day, all eyes will be on whether Dinoko FC can complete their remarkable season with the gold medals and championship cup in the soccer competition, while the netball finals promise to be equally thrilling with Buffalo NC looking to hold off the challenge from Juventus NC for their own set of gold medals and silverware.
The tournament has been about much more than just winning and losing; it’s about giving young people hope, purpose, and a sense of belonging. Win or lose on Saturday, every participant can hold their heads high, knowing they’ve been part of something that will have lasting positive impact on their community. And with everyone from first to fourth place walking away with recognition, the message is clear that effort and participation are just as important as victory.
Gates open at 9:00 AM, and with action continuing till late, this promises to be a day that will be remembered for years to come in the Mohlaletsi community. The Maphuthe Development League has set a standard for grassroots sport development that other communities would do well to follow.
