• South African launch of the KIA’s global amateur 5-a-side soccer tournament
  • 96 teams battle it out over eight hours
(JOHANNESBURG) 19 March 2018 – KIA Motors South Africa yesterday launched the Korean carmaker’s Champ into the Arena amateur 5-a-side soccer tournament in Johannesburg, with a record-breaking 96 teams battling their way to the top of the log in the Gauteng regional finals. Only four spots were available for the National Finals, set to take place on 21 April 2018 at Discovery Soccer Park, George Lea Park, in Sandton.

The tournament is staged in support of KIA’s global partnership with FIFA in the run-up the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and saw soccer superstar Moeneeb Josephs, a long-time supporter of the KIA Champ into the Arena tournament, joining Thabo Senong and Bongani Khumalo on the day to witness 5-a-side soccer at its most intense.

Following six hours of intense football, the final four teams to make it through to the 16:00 semi-finals were Adidas FC, No Romance in Moscow, Royal Lakes and Forza FC. It was Royal Lakes and Forza FC who then battled it out for the coveted prize of the champions of Joburg, with Forza FC coming out 1-0 winners as the sun started setting on the Sunday evening. These teams will join the winning teams from the Western Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal regional finals in the national finals.

Entries are still open for both the Western Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal regional finals. The entry form is available online by clicking on the KIA Champ into the Arena banner on the KIAwebsite (www.kia.co.za) or by visiting www.kiachamp.co.za.