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Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
MBEMBESI are the winners of the Godlwayo South Soccer League Heroes Day 14-team tournament held at Vokola Business Centre with a 4-3 on penalties triumph over Mabuze last Saturday.
The match ended 0-0 and penalties were needed in order to have a winner with the Mbembesi Bees triumphant.
In the semi-finals, Mbembesi dispatched Silalatshani Tigers 1-0 in semis through a beauty of a goal from the evergreen Dumo Mavuna through a Michael Sibindi assist. Mabuze Stars knocked out Sidzibe on penalties in the other semi.
Sponsors of the GSSL, Kossam Mavuma Ndlovu, Bhekinkosi Maranda Sithole and Zibusiso Majankwe Ncube were joined in bankrolling the one day event by Max Mkwite Sibanda. The total sponsorship package stood at $2 000. Mbembesi got a $500 reward while $300 was given to Mabuze while all the teams that made it to the last eight also received prizes.
Ncube and Sithole attended the tournament while Ndlovu as well as Sibanda could not make it due to commitments in South Africa where they are based.
Mabuze Stars were spearheaded by veteran skipper Mphilisi Ndlovu and their impressive goalkeeper Emmanuel Ncube who denied GSSL leading goal scorer Nkosinathi Madinda Tshili from Mbembesi.
Mbembesi Bees winning player/coach Fidelis Mdzingwa said the opposition always strengthens whenever they face his team since they swept everything in the league over the last two years.
“We worked hard in order to win the tournament as usual but generally teams tend to be stronger when playing against Mbembesi Bees because they have won almost everything on offer for the past two years. We thank the sponsors MMM with another M added we guess they will be stronger and the league will be more lucrative,’’ Mdzingwa said.
With the GSSL halfway through, defending champions Mbembesi have a slender one point lead over perennial rivals Dekezi.
All the teams in the 13-team league have played 12 matches each.
Online Reporter