By SIHLE N SONTO
New Brighton is gearing up for a weekend of junior football as young players from across the area prepare to compete in the Ntikzero11’s U/15 Birthday Knockout Tournament 2026, taking place at New Brighton Fields from Saturday, 31 October, to Monday, 2 November.
The tournament, organised by Nontsikelelo Mhaluka, promises three days of competitive football, with the final scheduled for Monday to coincide with her birthday.
Mhaluka, who has been involved in the junior department of the New Brighton Football Association (NEBFA) for more than five years, is hosting the tournament for the first time. She hopes the event will become an annual fixture on the local football calendar, providing young players with an opportunity to showcase their talent while celebrating the sport that brings their communities together.
The official tournament draw took place on Wednesday, 28 October, at SDA Primary School, formerly known as Lwandlekazi High School, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting knockout competition.
Several junior teams will battle it out in the preliminary round, including Red City FC, Kubs FC, Masilakhe FC, Inter Milan FC, Red Lions FC and Stinging Bees FC, alongside other participating sides.
The last-16 stage will also feature teams such as Dodgers FC, City Defenders FC, City Lads FC, Pondo Stars FC and NB Academy FC, adding to the excitement as teams compete for a place in the final.
For Mhaluka, the tournament is about more than celebrating another birthday. Having dedicated over five years to junior football development in New Brighton, she hopes the competition will bring young footballers together, encourage participation in the sport and create opportunities for emerging talent.
With the final taking place on her birthday, Mhaluka will be hoping for a memorable conclusion to the inaugural tournament and, more importantly, the beginning of a new tradition for junior football in New Brighton.
The Ntikzero11’s U/15 Birthday Knockout Tournament takes place from 31 October to 2 November 2026 at New Brighton Fields.
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