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THE National University of Science and Technology won the inaugural May Day Southern Region five-a-side soccer tournament after beating Christian side Bovisa of Family of God 8-7 in the final played at Bulawayo Athletic Club on Thursday.Seven teams from Bulawayo took part in the competition which was meant to gauge the clubs’ level of preparedness ahead of the season kick off at the end of the month.
On their way to lifting the competition, Nust, whose coach Albert Nkulumo Mnkandla was voted the tournament’s best mentor, clobbered Cowdray Park’s Amabhubesi FC 13-2 in their opening group stage match and went on to edge losing quarter-finalists Fox 2-1 in their last qualifier.
The students needed a penalty shootout against Munyoro United to book a place in the final after playing to a 1-1 draw during the semi-finals. Nust won 9-8 after penalty shootouts.
On the other hand, Bovisa came top of Pool B following their 14-3 victory over St Andrew’s, 15-1 win over FML and a 2-2 draw with Munyoro United.
Just like Nust, they beat Fox 9-8 in the semi-finals after their match had ended 2-2 in regulation time.
Philani Banda, the five-a-side Southern Region chairman, was happy with the level of competition and said their next event would be on May 25.
“This was a good competition considering that we have gone for almost two years without action. We have already started preparing for the Africa Day tournament and all the clubs that participated in Thursday’s competition have assured us that they will be available for the May 25 competition.
“Clubs like Khalanyoni, Toronto, Far East and Amavevane have also confirmed that they will be sending their teams. A week after the May Day competition we are going to start our league matches and we urge clubs to make use of the tournament so that they can fine-tune their sides,” said Banda.
Results
Group A: Nust 13-2 FC Amabhubesi, Fox 5-3 Amabhubesi, Nust 2-1 Fox
Group B: St Andrew’s 3-14 Bovisa, FML 2-15 Munyoro United, St Andrew 2-5 Munyoro United, Bovisa 15-1 FML, Bovisa 2, Munyoro United 2, St Andrews 5-0 FML
Semi-finals: Nust 1-1 Munyoro United (Nust win 9-8 after penalties), Bovisa 2-2 Fox (Bovisa win 9-8 after penalties)
Final: Nust 1-1 Bovisa (Nust win 8-7 after penalties)
Online Reporter