By Kaya Mntsantsa<\/p>\n
Ntsimba – Engcobo<\/p>\n
The Ntsimba Games closed in style at Emawuleni Sports Grounds as Bolotwa Rangers FC and Rangers netball teams took top honours in a weekend that put Engcobo youth front and centre. Orchestrated by the Godasi Magwa Foundation, the tournament ran 13\u201315 June 2026 with main organiser Masibulele Mdunyelwa leading operations. The event brought 20 affiliated soccer teams and 10 netball teams from Ntsimba and surrounding villages.<\/p>\n
After tense semi-finals decided on penalties, Bolotwa Rangers FC beat Ocean Swallow FC 6\u20135, while Nkanyamba FC edged Ngcacu FC 5\u20134. The final saw Bolotwa Rangers dominate with a 3\u20130 win over Nkanyamba FC to claim the trophy, kit, R8,000 and gold medals. Nkanyamba took R5,000, kit and silver. Third place went to Ngcacu FC with R2,400, a ball and bronze.<\/p>\n
Fourth and fifth prize teams each received a ball. Individual awards went to Bolotwa Rangers for Best Coach and Best Goalkeeper. Nkanyamba FC produced both Best Player and Top Goalscorer. Black Pirates\u2019 striker won the Golden Boot.<\/p>\n
Power Rangers netball team beat Tomorrow Stars 9\u20135 in the final after Tomorrow Stars had thrashed Seven Experience 18\u20139 and Rangers overcame Chizele 9\u20136 in the semis. Rangers walked away with kit, R5,500, trophy and gold. Tomorrow Stars earned a kit, R2,500 and silver.<\/p>\n
Third place took R1,500, a ball and bronze, with fourth and fifth prize teams receiving balls. A R5,000 foundation top-up boosted the netball prize pool as promised on the poster.Tomorrow Stars\u2019 standout took Best Player, while Tigers produced the Top Goalscorer. Rangers\u2019 coach was named Best Coach.More than trophies.<\/p>\n
In rural villages like Ntsimba, Youth Month games are never just games. With schools closed, Emawuleni Grounds became the heartbeat of the community \u2014 patchy grass, no grandstands, but plenty heart.\u201cYouth Month is about remembering 1976, but it\u2019s also about building 2026,\u201d said a local coach. \u201cWhen our kids play, they learn discipline, teamwork, and pride.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s nation-building on a Saturday afternoon.\u201dOrganisers added that local economic development was key: for three days vendors sold food, drinks and goods, putting money back into the community. As boots were cleaned and bibs washed, Ntsimba reminded the Eastern Cape that rural sport survives through heart. Teams wanting to register for 2027 can contact Nojaid 063 0460 420 and Tasko 078 023 6973.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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