Real Rovers FC were crowned champions of the Easter Soccer Tournament after an exciting final played at the Brooklyn Movers Sports Ground in Ward 15, under the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality.

The four-day tournament, which started on Friday and ended on Monday, featured sixteen local teams competing for the top prize. Hundreds of football supporters gathered at the Brooklyn sports field to witness the matches, with organisers estimating that nearly 3,000 spectators attended during the tournament.

In the final, Real Rovers FC faced Kutlwanong Arsenal FC in a tightly contested match. The game ended 1–1 in regulation time, with Mpho “Choko” scoring for Real Rovers. The winner was eventually decided through a penalty shootout, where Real Rovers held their nerve to win 5–4.

Thato “Machete” was named Man of the Match for his outstanding performance during the final.

The tournament was organised by the African Unified Movement (AUM) in the Bushbuckridge sub-region. According to AUM chairperson Happy Mosoma, the event was a major success thanks to cooperation between organisers and local football structures.

Mosoma said the tournament was supported by the Top 8 Stocked Cluster management under the leadership of Danny Sekgobela.

The champions received a trophy, soccer balls and new soccer kits, while the other finalists were also awarded kits. The four teams that reached the semi-finals each received soccer balls as part of the prizes.

Beyond the football action, the tournament also boosted the local economy. Street vendors and small businesses selling food and drinks benefited from the large crowds that attended the matches.

Mosoma said the event helped “put food on the table” for many families in the community.