The new season kicks off mid-September and teams are already preparing.Double Action will be taking part in the off-season tournament for the third time after finishing runners-up last year. They were part of the inaugural edition in Bulawayo two years ago.This time, the tournament will draw eight clubs together with six participating clubs from Zimbabwe.Women's football powerhouse, New Orleans, Inline Academy, Cyclone Stars, Mufakose, Black Rhinos and the hosts Chipembere will be divided into two pools.
The Botswana clubs have been placed in different groups in a format that will see the top two teams in each group proceeding to the semi-finals after the group stages.Double Action communications manager, Kabelo Selelo said the tournament would give the players the necessary international exposure."We leave for Zimbabwe on Thursday and we hope the games will give our players the much needed exposure," he told Mmegi Sport.The winner will walk away with $1, 500 (P10, 500), a trophy and gold medals, while the runner-up will get $1, 000 (P7, 000) plus trophy and silver medals. Position three and four will each pocket $400 (P2, 800) and $300 (P2, 100) respectively. Each of the participating teams will get $200 (P1, 200) as appearance fees. There will also be individual awards for the players.Double Action were runners-up in the last edition of the tournament, which was played at Bulawayo's Luveve stadium.After the tournament, Inline Academy signed Double Action and national team striker, Bonang 'Bebeto' Otlhagile. The predatory forward, however, spent about six months before returning home at the end of the season.
