The Maimane Alfred Phiri (MAP) Games is a celebrated annual amateur football tournament based in Alexandra, Johannesburg. This year it is being played from June 3-16.
The MAP Games started in 2001 with just four teams and in 2016 the festival will be proudly celebrating the 16th edition, with over 140 teams participating in the tournament.
Maimane Alfred Phiri, the son of Alexandra, is the founder of the tournament. He started the MAP Games as his social responsibility project with the aim of producing more Alexandra soccer players who would go on to represent the country at the World Cup like he did.
MAP Investments CC together with the Maimane Alexandra Youth Foundation bring you the MAP Games 2016, which provides a platform to showcase raw football talent and also provide corporate businesses with an opportunity to position their brands amongst football lovers in South Africa.
To date the MAP Games have grown significantly and attracted a large number of teams from all across South Africa, with over 110 new teams participating in the last six years alone.
The tournament accommodates teams in these competition categories: U13, U15, U17, U20, ladies open teams, seniors open teams.
Over the years the MAP Games have also attracted top football stars who have played in the highest leagues, some of whom are: Patrick Phungwayo, Mpho Makola, Lebohang Manyama, Bongani Zungu, Thabo Rhakale, Khethokwakhe Masuku, Thuso Phala, Joseph Molangoane and Thabo Moloi.
The Games have contributed significantly to the development of young footballers in South Africa and they have also served as a platform for up-and-coming talented players from disadvantaged backgrounds to be scouted by professional clubs and coaches.