adminCaroline Magenga Sports Reporter
HARARE Central Prison were the inaugural winners of the Edward Sadomba Soccer Tournament after they edged Hurungwe on penalties in the final at Chikurubi yesterday.
The two teams were deadlocked goalless in regulation time but Harare prevailed 5-4 in the shoot-out lottery.
On their way to winning the tournament, Harare accounted for Mazowe and Bindura prisons to set up a date against hosts Chikurubi.
Harare, who are affectionately known as “Chidhoma,’’ beat Chikurubi 1-0 while Hurungwe saw off Kentucky 2-1 in the quarter-finals
There was an added flair on the second and final day of the tournament with a number of former players gracing the occasion and also playing an exhibition match against a Select Side of the prison inmates.
Libya-based Warriors striker Sadomba led the team of former players, who included Harlington Shereni, the Mushangazhike brothers Gilbert and Kelvin, Alvin Ndunduma, Stewart Murisa, Joel Luphahla, Fungai Kwashi, Tawanda Dzemwa and Tatenda Sharara.
Former Warriors left back Shereni said he was honoured to play “for such a worthy cause’’ and hailed Sadomba for the initiative.
“I was very impressed and moved when he (Sadomba) told me about this tournament and I am very excited to be here and playing for such a worthy cause.
“Being out there again in the field brought back a lot of memories and being able to mingle with the inmates and see hope light up their faces during the tournament, for me was just priceless,’’ Shereni said.
The inmates also praised their commanding officers and Sadomba for facilitating the tournament.
Skipper of the winning team, Edmore Mupinyure, said the tournament meant a lot to them as inmates.
“When you are behind bars, you tend to feel like society has rejected and forgotten you but today Sadomba has shown us that people out there remember us constantly.
“We also acknowledge the commanding officials who allowed us to play and train and agreed to this tournament,” Mupinyure said.
Apart from the trophy and medals, Harare also worked away with sewing machines, a television set and satellite dish, courtesy of the Sadomba Foundation and Christ Embassy Church.
Online Reporter