adminRicky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
ORGANISERS of the Thembalethu Foundation women’s soccer tournament have promised to make next year’s edition bigger and better following a successful competition held at Raylton Sports Club on Thursday.
New Orleans won the inaugural competition after beating Borrow Jets 3-2 after a penalty shootout in the final of the six-team tournament.
The other teams which took part in the competition whose objective is to change lives and bring hope to girls through football were Highlanders Royals, Street Sets, Cowdray Park Queens and Sobukhazi.
Royals thrashed Street Set 5-0 to win the third place play-off.
“This was a great tournament and we are grateful to the support given to us by the Southern Region Soccer League’s management, the clubs, strategic partners and the media. Our hope is to make next year’s competition even bigger and better. We will certainly hold another event next year, which we will try to have before the end of the year so that teams field their strong sides,” said Fungai Nyamutukwa-Mpfeka.
Thembalethu Foundation’s strategic partners included Nokel Security, Swivel Metal Engineering, Elicon Construction and Baker’s Inn who provided refreshments and lunch for participating teams.
Comedian Oliver Keith and friends also donated sanitary pads to the girls who took part in the tournament.
For their efforts, New Orleans walked away with a trophy and brand new kit, while Borrow Jets, Highlanders Royals and Street Set received a new kit each imported from the United Kingdom.
New Orleans’ Nobukhosi Ncube was named Player of the Tournament and Chantelle Ncube from Street Set was Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
The Top Goal Scorer accolade jointly went to Rebecca Mandaza from New Orleans and Highlanders Royals’ Zibusiso Ndlela who netted five goals each.
Borrow Jets’ Sicelo Ncube scooped the Goal of the Tournament award for her goal against Highlanders Royals.
Irene Ngwenya from Sobukhazi and Dinah Banda from Highlanders Royals were named the tournament’s most outstanding players.
Southern Region Women’s Football League chairman Takundwa Chimundiya expressed gratitude to the sponsors.
“I would like to commend our sponsors for their vision and their festive spirit of giving, but most importantly, the contribution to the development of the girl child through football. The role of our sponsors in mobilising resources and focusing on our football in the region cannot be over emphasised,” said Chimundiya.
“This initiative will go a long way towards the development of women’s football in the region. We hope such competitions will help nurture young talent and help young footballers pursue their soccer passion.”
— @ZililoR
Online Reporter