Cape Town - After a two-month hiatus the MultiChoice Diski Challenge returns for the playoff stages later this month. The recess was to allow players ample time to prepare and write their year-end examinations.
“The MDC takes a holistic approach to the development of our next generation of football stars – we want them to focus as much on their education as they do on their football.” explained Teressa Malevu, Head of Corportate Responsibility for MultiChoice. “The break enabled players like Dumsani Msibi, Sphesihle Sangweni and Percy Tau, amongst others, to successfully complete their matric.”
Heading into the break, Bloemfontein Celtic, SuperSport United, Polokwane City, University of Pretoria, Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, Platinum Stars and Mpumalanga Black Aces all secured themselves spots in the quarter finals, giving them a one in eight chance of landing the inaugural title and a once-in-a-lifetime 8-day trip to the Netherlands.
In the two months of group stage football played last year, more than 10 players attained promotion to their respective first teams. First team players returning from injury were able to gain much needed match practice and the pool of players for youth national team coaches to choose from was widened considerably. Promotion chasing NFD teams also bolstered their squads with some of the talent discovered at the tournament.
Off the field, the players gained essential life skills.
Other than unearthing the country’s next football gems, the tournament offered young content producer interns fresh out of varsity, an opportunity to cut their teeth as the production crew for the MultiChoice Diski Challenge.
The quarter finals will kick off on Saturday, 31 January and Sunday 1 February at King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal. Entry into the stadium is free and tickets are available at all Shoprite or Computicket outlets across the province. A limit of two tickets per person per day will apply. No tickets will be issued at the ground on match day.