![Zambia celebrates its victory. Zambia celebrates its victory.](https://www.westerncape.gov.za/sites/www.westerncape.gov.za/files/zambia_celebrates_its_victory.jpg)
Four soccer teams playing in the colours of South Africa, Somalia, Uganda and Zambia squared off against each other at the Day of Reconciliation “Adopt a Nation” soccer tournament in Gugulethu on Monday, 16 December 2013.
The tournament was hosted by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) with support from SAFA (SA Football Association) Cape Town and the City of Cape Town. It aimed to mobilise community support for adopting one of the eight national teams which will be based in Cape Town during the 2014 Orange African Nations Championship (also known as CHAN). The 25-day countdown to Africa’s biennual football showpiece has started. Cape Town is set to host 16 of the 32 matches of CHAN 2014, including the opening and closing matches. The tournament will take place in the Mother City, Mangaung and Polokwane between 11 January and 1 February 2014.
The team representing Zambia won in Gugulethu, with the teams representing Somalia and Uganda coming 2nd and 3rd respectively. CHAN mascot Takuma also distributed flyers in the townships to encourage people to buy tickets. Mr Bennett Bailey of DCAS Sport Promotion thanked players for competing in this memorable tournament. “You played fair, enjoyed the rivalry and had fun.” DCAS is expected to transport supporters from across the Western Cape to watch the CHAN matches.
Player of the tournament Abdi Hadi from Zambia said he and his teammates were happy to be part of the tournament. DCAS and its partners will host similar mobilising soccer tournaments in the build-up to the CHAN 2014 kick-off at Cape Town Stadium on 11 January. Join in the excitement. Get your tickets from Computicket to see some of the best football players on the African continent vie for top honours.
Annerie Pruis-Le Roux
Acting Head of Communication Service
Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 9730
E-mail: annerie.pruis@westerncape.gov.za