By Chris Totobela
The opening day of the Superbowl Easter soccer tournament was full of surprises. First up was the tournament’s dark horses, Sophia Stars, losing to Soul Buddys by 2-1.
![Lihle Ntlanjeni of Soul buddy's closes down a Sophia stars defender](/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/WhatsApp-Image-2024-03-29-at-18.54.41.jpeg)
Fort Beaufort-based Real Madrid came from a goal down against Makana Tigers to take the game to a penalty shoot-out, losing to the more determined Tigers side.
Next up was Rhodes University against tournament favourites City Pirates in a very tough and closely contested game. The students came from a goal down to win the game and knocked Pirates out of the Superbowl.
![Sbahle Ndyolashe of Pirates against Rhodes University. Photo: Chris Totobela](/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/WhatsApp-Image-2024-03-29-at-18.50.19.jpeg)
In the last game of the day, Abantwana FC came up against another tournament dark horse in Young Eagles in a thrill-a-minute game. After a one-all stalemate at halftime, Abantwana returned and thrashed Eagles by five goals to one. Abantwana outplayed Eagles, who ran out of ideas and started kicking their opponents around. It was a good day of football, and the Dlepu crowd did not disappoint. Everyone is looking forward to Saturday’s games.
![JD Dlepu stadium packed to the rafters on the first day of Superbowl tournament whchich took place on Good Friday. Photo: Chris Totobela](/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/WhatsApp-Image-2024-03-29-at-18.55.35-e1711780464829.jpeg)