​River Park Football Club has walked away with a cheque of R120 000 after defeating Black Poison Football Club in the Tsalanang Games finals on 18 April 2022.

The games took place at the Tsalanang Pub Grounds, which is located in the heart of Braamfischerville in Region D. Tsalanang Games is a cohesion-building community sports event organisation founded in 2013 by Solomon Leshabane and a few members of the Braamfischerville community.

One of the committee members proposed the name “Tsalanang”, which means “be friends”, and it was chosen by a vote within the committee. Tsalanang’s name represents guiding someone in the right direction, which is the literal job of a friend, as well as providing shelter or support.

Solly Leshabane, the tournament’s organiser, thanked the City of Joburg for keeping the youth completely engaged over the Easter long weekend.

“Tsalanang Games is determined to represent the talents within the community. It’s not just about football, but a social event where people can come meet and talk about the players’ futures and what they want to become,” said Leshabane.

One of the local youngsters, Mbalenhle Mbeki said: “It’s so exciting to attend the games because each year, more than 40 teams – some from as far away as Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal – come here to take part in the soccer tournament. That alone is powerful in itself, and I am happy that the games are coming back to the townships.”

This year’s Tsalanang Games featured 64 teams coming from as far as the Sedibeng, West Rand, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and East Rand competing for glory.

Tshepo Master Mqabasa of Rivers Park Football Club, who was unanimously named man of the match against Mamba FC Football Club prior to the finals, summed up the highly anticipated soccer tournament when he said: “It was not an easy tournament, but we won through perseverance, training, dedication, sacrifice and most of all, love for what we do.”

Written by Ntombifuthi Junerose Nkosi
19/04/2022