Nothing brings friends together like the game of football, whether it is playing in the park, watching together on television or going to the stadium to catch a game live.
Friendships are forged between teammates and opponents alike, as the passion for the beautiful game shines above all else.
That is why Castle Lager has created a unique opportunity for friends to band together and form their own five-a-side team and vie to become not just champions of their own country, but the kings of Southern Africa.
The Best Brew League will see players from 2017 COSAFA Castle Cup hosts South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Lesotho, and Swaziland compete to be crowned regional champions.
After coming through qualifiers in their own countries, they will advance to the finals series to be played on July 8 & 9 in South Africa’s North West province as part of a dream trip to the 2017 COSAFA Castle Cup competition that is currently on the go.
Aside from the action on the pitch, the Best Brew League players will also get the opportunity of a visit to the famous SAB World of Beer in Johannesburg and a Castle Lager Tank Beer experience.
Added to that they will also have a tour of the FNB Stadium in Soweto, the venue for the 2010 FIFA World Cup final and one of the most iconic stadia on the planet.
“This is an amazing experience for anyone, not least football fans,” says COSAFA Castle Cup Legend Brian Baloyi, who was a championship-winning goalkeeper with Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana.
“I look forward to welcoming fans from across the COSAFA region to South Africa for not just a celebration of football, but hopefully a life-changing experience where they get a sense of some of our great attractions in Johannesburg, but also make new friends with fellow Best Brew League players.”
Former Botswana international Dipsy Selolwane says he is sure the action on the pitch will be intense at the finals of the Best Brew League competition on July 8 & 9.
“The players will be representing their country’s flag, so everybody is going to want to win,” Selolwane says. “I am sure the competition will be pretty intense, this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for these players to play in this kind of environment and nobody is going to want to give an inch.”
Ex-Zambia international Rotson Kilambe says the beauty of the Best Brew League is not only that you get to play for your country, but also that you get to do it with your friends.
“There is nothing better than playing with football with friends, the comradery and the feeling of achieving something together. It is like a band of brothers. I think the guys will have a lot of fun together, not just on the pitch, but also with the experience that has been laid on them for in South Africa.”
Fans who win the Best Brew League competitions in their respective countries will arrive in South Africa on July 6, with the draw for the regional tournament to be held on July 7 at the Royal Marang Hotel adjacent to the Bafokeng Sports Campus, the home of South African Premier Soccer League side Platinum Stars.
The tournament will start on July 8, with the quarterfinals onwards to be played on July 9, the day of the COSAFA Castle Cup final at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Stadium.
All Best Brew League team members will attend the COSAFA Castle Cup final as VVIP members, where they will be treated to a special match-day experience!
“We wanted to create the chance for friends to engage with a Castle Lager by giving them a once-in-a-lifetime experience together that they will never forget. The Best Brew League gives them that opportunity on the football pitch with the five-a-side competition, but there will be plenty of other fantastic experiences for them to enjoy together in the spirit of true friendship,” says Thomas Lawrence, Brand Manager – Castle Lager, Africa.
