TIME really does fly when you’re having fun. Can you believe it has been 10 years since the Premier Soccer League’s (PSL) Reserve League, the DStv Diski Challenge, was launched?
Well, if you consider the fact that Percy Tau and Grant Kekana are now the senior citizens of South African football, then it all makes sense.
The duo were the stars of the inaugural Diski Challenge way back in 2015 when their then clubs, Mamelodi Sundowns and University of Pretoria, contested the final, with Kekana’s Tuks reigning supreme.
Many other stars were unearthed thereafter, with the likes of current Orlando Pirates crowd favourite Relebohile Mofokeng, Stellenbosch FC’s Devin Titus and former SuperSport United player Shandré Campbell, who has since moved to Belgium, among those.
Though MultiChoice no longer sponsor the elite Premiership, they have decided to continue with the Diski Challenge for a further five years, and the 2024/25 campaign kicks off this weekend at King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium – the venue where it all began way back then.
MultiChoice’s CSI manager: Sport, Sandile Luthuli said: “Jersey number 10 – as we are calling this season – is such an iconic and vital number in football, and we as MultiChoice for DStv Diski Challenge are delighted.
“It is an overwhelming feat, and it’s been a long journey, so it’s a very exciting time as we look forward to the 10th season to unearth the next big stars of South African football.
“The Diski Challenge has taken its rightful place in the ecosystem of South African football, and I think (PSL chairman) Dr Irvin Khoza stressed how important the Diski Challenge is, and that it is going nowhere – hence we renewed the partnership with the PSL for another five years of producing some of the stars of the game in local football.”
The DDC is not only about producing players for the elite league, he explained.
𝐃𝐒𝐭𝐯 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐤𝐢 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞
The 2024/25 #DstvDiskiChallenge season will officially kick-off this weekend.
Here are the fixtures for the opening weekend of the season👇 pic.twitter.com/pTjUOiFBJY
“It is also a breeding ground for coaches, for back-room staff at football clubs, for journalists and for broadcasters – it is a multi-pronged approach.
“We are developing on and off the field – that somehow spawned a new sports industry where jobs which previously did not exist became available.
“It became a ground for former Premiership players who were hanging up their boots, but still wanted to give back to football could do so. Coaches such as Arthur Zwane and Thabo September have gone on to the Premiership after cutting their teeth in the DDC.”
Khoza highlighted what it means for the DDC to have lasted a decade.
“Celebrating 10 years of the Diski Challenge is more than just a milestone; it’s a significant achievement that highlights the deep and fruitful partnership we’ve built with MultiChoice over the years.
“The Diski Challenge has grown beyond a mere tournament – it has become a conveyor belt for nurturing and developing young talent, serving as the lifeblood of South African football.
“The many success stories of Diski Challenge alumni, who have gone on to make significant contributions, are a powerful testament to the competition’s lasting impact and importance within our football ecosystem.”
Weekend fixtures (10am unless stated)
Saturday: Chippa United v Marumo Gallants (Buffalo City Stadium), SuperSport United v Polokwane City (Lucas Moripe Stadium), Magesi FC v Stellenbosch FC (Old Peter Mokaba Stadium), AmaZulu v Orlando Pirates (King Zwelithini Stadium), Richards Bay FC v Mamelodi Sundowns (King Zwelithini Stadium, 12pm)
Sunday: Cape Town City v Sekhukhune United (Malta Park Sports Complex), Golden Arrows v Kaizer Chiefs (King Zwelithini Stadium, 12pm)