ARCHAAR Boys FC from Kwa-Thema in Ekurhuleni were crowned IDiskie Nine-Nine Festive Games 2025 champions.
They beat Afro XI FC 2-1 in a thrilling final at Duduza Stadium on Tuesday, 30 December.
It was third time lucky for Archaar Boys. They finally lifted the trophy after falling short in the semi-finals in the previous two editions of the tournament.
Defender Reginald Mhlanga turned into the unlikely hero. He stole the show with a decisive brace. He opened the scoring in the 4th minute, sending the Archaar Boys supporters into celebrations. Afro XI hit back almost immediately. Anele found the equaliser just two minutes later.
The teams went into the break locked at 1-1. This set the stage for a tense second half. With the clock ticking down, Mhlanga rose again. He struck three minutes from full time to seal a dramatic victory and spark wild celebrations.
The win marked Archaar Boys' first title since joining the tournament three years ago. It was a reward for their persistence after seasons of heartbreak and near misses.
For Afro XI, the loss was a bitter blow. They were chasing a second title, having last lifted the trophy in 2021.
Archaar Boys walked away with a massive R210 000 first prize, gold medals, and a full soccer kit. Runners-up Afro XI received R70 000, silver medals, and a soccer kit.
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In the third-place playoff, Ben 10 FC delivered a dominant performance. They thrashed Zwezwi Nation FC to finish third. Ben 10 FC earned R20 000, bronze medals, and a full soccer kit. Zwezwi Nation FC took home R10 000 and a soccer kit.
The tournament once again lived up to its reputation. It served up exciting and highly competitive football that kept supporters entertained throughout the festive period.
Tournament director Sizwe Nqubezelo praised the partners who made the event possible.
He said: "I'd like to acknowledge our headline sponsors Hollywoodbets, Herotel, MNS Attorneys, Bakubung, and Score Energies for their continued support. Without them, it would not be possible to host such a beautiful event."
Both finalists, Archaar Boys and Afro XI, will now turn their attention to the newly introduced Hollywoodbets Gauteng Kasi Championship. It's set to kick off in February, where provincial bragging rights will again be up for grabs.
