Sizzling Nedbank 8 fever begins

Kamohelo Makhofola
This weekend, all roads will converge on the Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena for the highly anticipated kick-off of this year’s Nedbank 8 tournament.
Sponsored by Nedbank Lesotho, this tournament is reserved for the top four A-Division League teams from both the southern and northern streams at the conclusion of the season.
The fixture draw has set the stage for an exciting start, with Maroala FC facing off against Qoaling Highlanders FC in the first quarter-final clash. Following that, Kick4Life Juventude will go head-to-head against Swallows FC in the second quarter-final match on Saturday.
On Sunday, the action continues as the southern stream winners, Majantja FC, will lock horns with Lilemela FC while the northern stream champions, Mzamane FC, will battle it out with Members FC in the third and fourth quarter-final matches, respectively.
Looking ahead, the semi-finals are scheduled for May 11-12, with the grand final taking place on May 19. All matches throughout the tournament will be hosted at the Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena.
Nedbank Lesotho has injected an extra dose of excitement into this year’s tournament by increasing the sponsorship amount from M250,000 to M350,000.
Sekonyela Matamane, speaking on behalf of Nedbank Lesotho during the draw, reiterated the bank’s steadfast commitment to football development in Lesotho.
“We witness remarkable growth and development among teams in Lesotho, and we are eager to support their ambitions,” Matamane affirmed.
He emphasised that the decision to boost sponsorship funds underscores Nedbank’s dedication to empowering communities and creating avenues for progress, despite the prevailing economic challenges.
The additional M100,000 funding is strategically allocated to unlock additional resources to strengthen infrastructure, enhance player development programs, and expand reach within the football community.
Tšeliso Ramatla, Chairman of the A-Division Management Committee (ADMACO), expressed his appreciation for the increased sponsorship funds, noting that they will undoubtedly enhance the competitiveness of the league.
The 2023 edition of the tournament saw Ace Maseru FC emerge victorious, clinching the title with a resounding 3-1 victory over Quthing LMPS FC in the final.