adminThis is the first time that the trophy has come to Bulawayo in its 16 years of existence.
The Bulawayo team won five of their seven matches while they drew the other two.
Cape to Cairo’s captain Khumbulani Sibanda said he was happy that the team had managed to achieve a feat that has eluded many teams from the city.
“We went in as the underdogs as we were unknown but I am happy that we managed to cause an upset and bring the cup to Bulawayo for the first time,” he said.
His deputy Becks Ndebele said as junior league graduates they were happy to get the exposure from outside the city and the experience as some Eastern Region Division One and Premier Soccer League teams had shown interest in some of them.
“We have been playing soccer all our lives but we have been stuck in Bulawayo for the most part and we are happy that we went to Harare and some of our players impressed some Division One and Premier Soccer League team representatives who were there and some people also showed interest in sponsoring us,” Ndebele said.
Horsepower Companies Social League boss Madodana Tshabangu also said he was proud of the team’s achievement in putting the city on the map and he said he hoped some of the players would get deals.
For their sweat, the Bulawayo team who are self-coached came back with a trophy and some vouchers. Outstanding individual players were also honoured and Cape to Cairo had three players who got prizes.
Phikisani Sibanda was voted the player of the tournament while Hilton Mkhwananzi was the tournament’s best goalkeeper after conceding only two goals in seven matches.
Emmanuel Musa was the tournament’s top scorer with 12 goals.
Sibanda, Ndebele, Dylan Nyamupanedengu, Tolybert Phiri, Tafadzwa Chibwobwo, Lloyd Sweswe, Jones Moyo and Ronald Nyoni were some of the players who are said to have impressed various clubs’ scouts in the tournament.
Results
Cape to Cairo 2, Gyproc 1; Cape to Cairo 10, Doltec 0; Cape to Cairo 0, Green Bullets 0; Cape to Cairo 1, Londoners 0; Cape to Cairo 2, Eastern Strikers 1; Cape to Cairo 1, Kedebe 0; Cape to Cairo 1, Justice 1.
Online Reporter