Brandon to hold local ‘World Cup’ tourney
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on brandonsun.com
- Read the Brandon Sun E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
*Your next Free Press subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Frank Adjei had World Cup fever.
Not just to watch, but to play his favourite sport.
The former Brandon University Bobcats men’s soccer player came up with the idea of a Brandon World Cup and pitched it to Mayor Jeff Fawcett, who was on board.
Former Brandon University Bobcats midfielder Frank Adjei has organized a Brandon World Cup soccer tournament, which begins Friday at Canada Packers Sports Complex. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)
Three months ago, Brandon Afcon announced it was opening registration for up to eight teams to participate. Starting on Friday, five will vie for the championship during a month-long competition.
The opener features Canada and Ghana on Cougars Field at the Canada Packers Sports Complex at 7:30 p.m.
“The main motivation is the World Cup tournament coming to North America,” said Adjei, who is competing for Ghana.
“The last time it was here was 34 years ago, so you never know when it’s coming here again. We’re just using the opportunity to organize a local one to bring the players together and also bring a World Cup experience to the city.”
On Saturday, Nigeria faces El Salvador at 11 a.m., then Ghana plays Chile at 1:30 p.m.
Adjei’s goal was to have players compete for their home country as much as possible, and the majority of them are.
The original plan was to have two pools of four, with the top two advancing to the semifinals. Now, the teams all play each other once, with the top four moving on to the semifinals on July 17. The final is on July 19.
All games are 11-a-side with two 45-minute halves.
In the playoffs, tied matches will head to two 15-minute halves of extra time, with penalty kicks to follow if necessary.
Admission is free, thanks to sponsorship from the Rotary Club of Brandon, Smitty’s, West Fit, Anytime Fitness and Dynamic Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic.
Samson Adeola Ogunnaya of the Brandon United Football Co-operative has taken care of supplying referees and assistant referees for all the matches.
Each week’s matches follow a similar schedule to this weekend, with one game on Friday evening, one Saturday late-afternoon and another to follow.
The fourth week has just one game on July 11 to round out the group stage.
» tfriesen@brandonsun.com