SA Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi has opened up about his passion for developing football players through his annual SM Legacy football tournament.
The tournament, which is hosted in Ga-Dikgale outside Polokwane, started on 5 September and will end on 4 October 2026. It is the 11th edition of the event, which features R90 000 in prize money for the winners.
Malatsi also serves as a coach for two amateur clubs, Tsetse Fly and Makakanka Re Kaofela. During the ongoing tournament, one of the players on his team was Xolani “Blackberry” Nkala, who has played for Premier Soccer League [PSL] clubs such as Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila and JDR Stars.
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Over the years, the tournament has seen elite clubs who participate in the Betway Premiership also visit the tournament to scout players. Malatsi says his vision is to offer the players in the villages an opportunity to play at the highest level.
“We have to create well-structured platforms at grassroots level because the talent is there,” Malatsi told FARPost.
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Malatsi says some clubs, including Sekhukhune United, have previously visited the tournament to have a look at some players.
“My approach and my passion are to keep these organised tournaments here so that we can attract all the best kids from around here. You never know which boy may be picked up here and it can get elsewhere.
“It’s encouraging to see teams coming as far as Mokopane, Lebowakgomo, Zebediela, and that’s what we want, so that kids don’t have to come out from Ga-Dikgale to go play elsewhere hoping that they will be seen,” he added.
“Clubs have actively scouted players here, particularly for their under-21 teams. Some players who started in the SML Legacy Tournament are now with Sekhukhune DDC, and we hope to see even more talented youth discovered here. Whether it’s one player every year or two, the most encouraging part is seeing kids from these local communities competing at a higher level.”
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