Sipho “TK” Khoza, who is the coach of Two For Joy FC who won the championship in the Khabba Cup, takes it as an incentive to see his players catching the attention of Premier Soccer League (PSL) teams.
Two For Joy walked away with R120 000 and a trophy after defeating Ashley United 1-0 in the final at King Zwelithini Stadium in Mlaza, on Sunday.
Ashley received R50 0000.
Two For Joy from Newlands, Durban, won the competition for the second time since they won it in 2024.
This annual competition, founded by Manqoba Mkhize, who made a name for himself in Kaizer Chiefs and MaZulu FC, has also shown progress. It has become a platform for PSL teams to search for players.
“It is not easy to defend the Khabba Cup title so we are very happy to be the first team from KZN to win this cup again.
“As a team that only plays stakes tournaments, it is our desire that these boys we use to promote them, to see them one day playing in the paying division and changing their lives and that of their families. Their success means our success as a team,” said Khoza.
“We appreciate Manqoba’s efforts with this competition which has opened doors for many boys, as some are now playing in the Premiership and Motsepe Championship teams.
Lindani “Dona” Shange of Two For Joy, who scored the best in the tournament, won two awards, namely Midfielder of the Tournament and Player of the Tournament.
Rumors have already started about the players who scored the best in this tournament, who have become meat in the KwaZulu-Natal teams playing in the Premiership.
It turns out that Two For Joy’s right back, Smanga Mlaba, is being targeted by Lamontville Golden Arrows, who are reported to be close to signing him.
Among the players discovered in this competition in previous seasons, there is Yanela Mbuthuma who is a striker of Orlando Pirates who was seen by Richards Bay FC in this competition and Sbani Khumalo who is the top of Richards Bay, to name a few.