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Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
MADODANA “Horsepower” Tshabangu has apologised to fans after he was forced to cancel his football tournament scheduled for White City Stadium at the eleventh hour.
The competition which was meant to run through the Christmas holiday is one of the most famous football events in Bulawayo.
In the last few years the tournament has not been held owing to financial challenges and Tshabangu had targeted a return this year after sourcing diaspora sponsors.
“I would like to apologise to the football fans who follow this competition. We had told them the tournament is back but due to some logistical challenges we have been forced to cancel. We got our clearance for the grounds very late which is one of the main causes of why we have shelved the tournament.
“Having got the grounds late, the teams were also notified late and most of them said they would not be ready to assemble the squads. Most of the equipment we wanted to use on the days is also booked. We were left with no choice but to cancel,” said Tshabangu.
Unity Village, Unforgettable, Queens Park, Makokoba, Mzilikazi, Njube Select, Magwegwe Marisha, Mpopoma, Entumbane, Makhandeni, Pumula, Nketa Select, Lobengula and Iminyela are teams that were expected to take part in the competition. Since its inception in late 90s to early 2000s the competition grew to be a known festive season football fiesta. The tournament brought football fans to Njube suburb as they watched top flight players slug it out.
However, with realisation of the dangers posed by such off-season football it ended up losing its allure.
A former footballer himself, Tshabangu also known as Sepp Blatter in local social football circles played for clubs like Context in 1974, Rhodal Football Club in 1976 and in 1978 he joined Super League side Gweru United before hanging up his boots the following year. — @innocentskizoe
Londile Moyo
Bongani Ndlovu