adminMzingaye Sibanda Sports Reporter
BANTU Rovers won the Emakhandeni Legends Under-18 Soccer Tournament after beating Highlanders 5-4 on penalties. The match played at Emakhandeni ground on Sunday had ended 1-1 in regulation time.The tournament was sponsored by Nhlanhla Ndlovu, Mthulisi Sibanda, Elias Ngoma and Albert Ali.
Emakhandeni, EM Sports, Highlanders, Bantu Rovers, Chicken Inn, LMC Academy and Mpumelelo were the eight clubs that took part in the knockout competition. Final junior league log standings for last season were used to select the participants.
On their way to victory Bantu Rovers knocked Chicken Inn 4-2 on penalties after the match ended in a nil-all draw while Highlanders won 1-0 against EM Sport.
The final between the two great rivals was tense but heroic saves by Bantu Rovers goalkeeper Elton Sibanda denied Highlanders the chance to lift the top prize, forcing the match to go into extra time.
Bantu Rovers goalkeeper Sibanda emerged the hero of the day as the youngster saved two spot kicks to deny Highlanders victory.
He had saved a penalty for Chicken Inn in the semi-final as well.
The Johannes Ngodzo coached juniors walked away with a complete kit and a trophy while Highlanders were awarded soccer balls and a runners-up trophy.
The young Tshintsha Guluva outfit had a clean swipe on the awards ceremony as Elton got accolades for being the best goalkeeper of the tournament and also got the best serve of the tournament.
Thembelihle Mthunzi scooped top goal scorer award with five goals and best striker accolade.
Brendon Mwedzi was named best midfielder while the former midfield genious Ngodzo was named the best coach.
Highlanders’ trio Donet Fosho was crowned best defender, Brendon Mwedzi was named the most skillful player while Ronald Jimisirai scooped the goal of the tournament award.
Emakhandeni Legends spokesperson Mthulisi Sibanda said the tournament will be an annual Easter holidays event.
“We used to play here and soccer was all we used to do while growing up, so it was touching to find that these kids were not afforded an opportunity to showcase their skills,” said the former Bulawayo Jumbos and How Mine midfielder.
Sibanda said they will in future look at spreading the tournament to other suburbs.
Among those that attended the football extravaganza was the Zifa Bulawayo province board member Mkhululi Mthunzi, provincial vice chairman Francis Ntutha and legendary juniors’ coach Ali Baba Dube.
Online Reporter