adminFungayi Munyoro Sports Correspondent
CITY Vellos captain, Marlon Mwayi, inspired his side to a 2-0 victory over Hobhouse-based Golden Scissors in the final of the just-ended LOKUZA Under-12 soccer tournament played at Sports Oval Ground in Mutare
The tournament was sponsored by Sheckon Stars director Brian Mukunga and a total of 10 junior football clubs participated.
These include City Vellos, fading giants La Sakubva, SAFA, Shercone Stars, Golden Scissors, Golden Stars, Faith Drive, Wagos, P Stars and Mutare Stars.
The teams were placed in two groups and the top two teams from each group proceeded to the semi-finals.
In Group A, City Vellos came out tops with eight points from four matches and on second place was Golden Scissors with seven points. In Group B, P Stars were on top with 12 points, while Golden Stars had nine points.
In the first semi-final, City Vellos defeated Golden Stars 1-0 to book a berth in the finals, while Golden Scissors won 6-5 in the dreaded penalty shootout against P Stars.
In the finals, both teams displayed good football and created so many scoring chances. It was City Vellos captain Mwayi who hogged the limelight with his sublime skills. He was the first to put his name on the score sheet and his influence made a huge difference as he became a darling of the crowd. The second goal came from the hard working Admire Chikwenya.
For winning the tourney, City Vellos took home a floating trophy and a full kit.
The second placed Golden Scissors walked away with $200 and the third price of $100 went to P Stars.
Goalkeeper of the tournament award was given to Vision Mudzipurwa of Golden Scissors, while player of the tournament was Tashinga Chinyowa of City Vellos.
Lawrence Mubango of Golden Stars was the top goal scorer after netting a total of five goals. The tournament, in which former Sporting Lions midfielder, Clemence ‘Skude’Mkudu was the guest of honour, was a huge success and it was well attended.
The sponsor, Brian Mukunga, promised to do better in the coming years and challenged the business community to take junior football seriously by sponsoring tournaments.
“Local businesspeople must chip in and help develop our youngsters. We do not have sponsors in our local league and yet we have talent here in Mutare,” he said.
The winning coach, Simba Fore, was on cloud nine.
“I am very happy with the way my boys played and they have played as per instruction. One thing that I am not happy about is that other clubs fielded older players when it is supposed to be 12 and under. Next time it must be closely looked at,” he said.
Online Reporter