The organisers of the Cell C Easter Soccer Tournament in Mpumalanga have promised four days of exciting soccer, fun and games to fans in the soccer-starved region.

The Cell C Easter soccer tournament kicked off in the province today and runs until Monday 5 April.

Tournament organiser Themba Shube says fans in the areas of Phakani, Msogwaba, eMjindhini and Schoemansdal should brace themselves for an exciting Easter weekend.

"We have organised a good tournament for our people to enjoy. The games start later this afternoon at the four venues. The semi-finals and finals will be played at Matsulu stadium."

"We are expecting fans from the Nelspruit region to attend in large numbers. Those who love a jolly good time should also come because there will good food sold by hawkers. Overall, it’s a good family day event," says Shube.

The winning team will receive R7 000, second place R5 000, third place R4 000, and fourth place R3 000.

In the dusty villages of Bushbuckridge, soccer fans will also share in the Easter weekend community soccer excitement.

"Bushbuckridge is a soccer-mad region. Here every boy grows up playing football, because that is the sport that’s most accessible. We are grateful to Cell C for bringing football to the disadvantaged and rural areas," says Jabu Nzima, Bushbuckridge tournament organiser.

Unlike in the Nelspruit region, where matches will start in the afternoon, in Bushbuckridge, matches kicked off early this morning in Welverdiend, Masoyi, Kildare and Shatale grounds.

"The quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals will be played in Thulamahashe and Mkhuhlu stadiums. We needed a bigger venue for the finals. We know that the tournament will gather momentum, attracting more fans," adds Nzima.

Traditionally, during the Easter holidays, people in the Bushbuckridge region sit down over a calabash of home-brewed marula. The Cell C Easter soccer tournament offers a platform to extend and share that atmosphere, only this time, locals can also enjoy the soccer action on the pitch.