JEPPES REEF – Jeppes Reef Shongwe Chiefs head coach Aaron Shongwe has recently promised to defend the Selati Super Cup.

Shongwe was speaking to the Nkomazi Voice as the 2010 “Iyanongotela6”, which is the only lucrative and well-known and supported Nkomazi tournament, will kick start on 27 February 2010.

The 2009 “Iyanongotela5” champions have said it loud and clear that they are not going to leave any stone unturned. “Notions are just notions. The failing of former champions to defend the Iyanongotela Cup does not mean that we cannot do so. Therefore, history is not going to repeat itself,” said Shongwe.

As from the inception of the tournament no team from the male side has ever taken the Iyanongotela Cup twice. Shongwe acknowledged that the tournament has new rules this team. One new rule states that a team can have no more than five players from outside of Nkomazi.

Shongwe assured Chief supporters that he has a beautiful squad composed of Nkomazi kids. “I have recruited many young players around Nkomazi. I know most of the teams are familiar with them and some have rejected them, but I’m going to have a better use of these young kids,” said Shongwe.

Amongst other coaches who are promising to come back as champions it popular Schoemansdal Junior Aces coach Douglas Shongwe. Some of the teams that are expected to cause disappointments are Cleopas Mjoli’s Mangweni Mancester and Mangweni LTD. Mangweni LTD coach Luke Shabangu made it clear that he wants to make Nkomazi East soccer lovers happy by bringing the Iyanongotela6 home.

Shabangu was speaking under a clear fact that since the Selati Cup started in 2005 no team from the Nkomazi East has ever lifted the Iyanongotela Cup.

The closest Nkomazi East has been is the final match, but they have always been defeated.

Tournament co-ordinator Kenneth Phiri, from sponsor TSB, says that if a team comes back as champions all is fair. “This is a game, so if a team prevails as the best nothing will be changed.

I believe what makes the tournament most exciting is that point where teams make promises and never keep only to find that under dogs are rising to the top. Each year from the five years of the tournament we’ve seen wonders.

So come 27 February excitement and disappointments will be seen,” said Phiri.

Phiri also announced that so far more than 150 teams have registered and they are expecting more than last year’s 154 male teams and 24 female teams.

“Although there’s fear from other teams to register, as the rules have banned them from using a full squad from outside the Nkomazi region.

Therefore, some are busy planning on how they will come on board without their well-known players,” said Phiri.