On August 9, 2025, the third edition of the Augusto Palacios Cup was held with great success. This prestigious tournament, led by Professor Augusto Palacios’ family, aims to develop players from across the country, showcasing their skills every day in August, a month that also pays tribute to women.
The competition, designed for players of all ages (5-10, U/12, U14/U16, and U/18), has already gained recognition with teams from Mafikeng, Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northwest, Gauteng, Soweto, and beyond participating.
The event was a resounding success, with families and friends providing unwavering support to the players. The finalists were rewarded with sports equipment, including bibs and soccer balls, as an incentive for reaching the final. This thoughtful gesture acknowledges that winning isn’t everything; improving is key, and being better players in the future is the best thing.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the teams that participated, especially those who couldn’t join due to registration limitations. We apologize for any inconvenience and hope that you’ll register early for next year’s event.
Finalists Announced:
- U10: Florida Raiders vs Home Sweeper Florida Raiders Champion
- U12: Future of Africa vs Mountain Boys Future Africa Champion
- U14: Three Touch vs Spring Golden Uprising Three Touch Champion
- U16: Dlamini All Black vs Mafikeng Football Dlamini Champion
- U18: APAA “A” vs APAA “B” (APAA “B” Champion)
Special Thanks:
We’d like to extend our sincerest appreciation to Professor Augusto Palacios’ family, including his wife Zoila, children Augusto Jr. and Gabriela, in-laws Taryn and Gareth, and grandchildren Alessandro, Adriano, Mariela, and Santiago.
We also acknowledge the invaluable support of Ricardo, the academy administrator, and Professor Palacios’ nephew Jhonathan.
A Message from Professor Augusto Palacios:
“The APAA continues to demonstrate that player development in South Africa is vital. We’re committed to doing so, and we look forward to hosting the 4th edition in 2026, God willing.”
With gratitude,
Prof. Augusto Palacios
Your friend and servant in the development of football
