Phillys Games, Township Football Festivals Get Thumbs up from Mzansi

• Township football festivals, like the Philly's Games in Midrand, have received the thumbs up from football supporters
• The tournaments traditionally run from the week of Christmas until the first week of the new year as a filler for the professional football recess
• Mzansi social media fans enjoy the amateur aspect of the festivals, also taking joy from the boldly irreverent nature of the skill shown by players

The festive season is a time for entertainment, and it appears township football festivals continue to thrill fans.

A tradition almost as old as time, the week of Christmas Day sees these festivals pack out the timetables across the country, usually ending in the first week of the new year. This began off-handedly decades ago to fill in the time while professional leagues went into their December recesses.

A distinct feature is of these festivals is the matches taking place on dust football pitches instead of grassed ones. Interestingly, organisers are not keen on changing this fact, believing that the dustbowls add to the essence of the festivals.

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Football

The Philly's Games, taking place in the Midrand area, are currently being televised, proving to be a win if social media is anything to go by. Fans are keen to see untapped talent yet to breakthrough into professional outfits, while others are entertained by the irreverent skills on display.

@Mash_10Mcbite responded to @mlodi_lodder:

"The pitch is for knockouts. Research. The idea is to show where it all started."

@jpman1963 piled in:

"Please stop your nonsense. We have grass pitches but the games are meant to be played on soil as a sign that's where we started football. Hence why quarterfinals and beyond are played on grass Coke is sponsoring. What corporate?"

@tshepixx said:

"Philly’s Games are being televised on SuperSport? That’s truly impressive and inspiring!"

@GaboDisa fired shots at struggling Orlando Pirates:

"Lemme attend Philly's games eMambisa. I won't be watching Pirates mina while those plumbers are still "plumbering"."

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Football

@sbo_mshika said:

"Philly's games! So much fun. The gents are just enjoying kasi football."

Legendary boxer Dingaan Thobela attends #FamevsClout, challenges Mzansi to fight

The great Dingaan Thobela was back in the public eye as one of the special guests at the infamous #FamevsClout boxing match between hip-hop heavyweight Cassper Nyovest and YouTuber Slik Talk.

Nyovest put the proverbial paws on the rabble-rousing Slik although he failed to get the knockout he sorely desired in the exhibition match.

Thobela, a former three-time world champion in two weight division, hoped that the event would reignite interest in boxing, particularly among the younger generation.