adminTedious Manyepo : Sports Reporter
BLACK RHINOS Queens Juniors beat ZRP Mambas 3-0 in the final of the inaugural Northern Region Division One mid-season tournament at Morris Depot over the weekend. Player of the tournament Tallet Mavhetese scored a brace which sandwiched Lydia Mapuno’s brilliant strike to help the army side to the podium.Black Rhinos coach Kuda Matuwi, who was also voted the best mentor of the competition, praised his charges for their performance throughout the tournament.
“I am happy for the girls. They played according to instructions and I have to say they showed their class.
“It always feels good to be the winners of such a prestigious tournament competing with 10 other good teams.
“Mambas Queens gave us a good run for our money and they could have beaten us if they were lucky, but at the end it is Rhinos smiling,” he said.
The army team had walloped Chitungwiza-based Field Rulers 5-0 in the semi-finals while ZRP Mambas’ preciseness had seen them dump Maningi Queens 7-6 on penalties after the match had finished 1-1 in regulation time.
Northern Region Division One chairman, Wilbert Rambanapasi, commended the teams for displaying professionalism on and off the field of play during the tournament.
“Considering that we were holding the event for the first time, I think the tournament was a success.
“The teams were very competitive and I was very much impressed by the levels of discipline which they displayed throughout the tournament’s duration.
“The girls showed that they are really talented and hardworking.
“We will definitely hold the same competition in the coming seasons,” he said.
Herentals Queens captain Susan Nyama won the top-goal scorer award while Maningi was the most disciplined team.
The second half of the NRD1 (Women) begins this week with teams fighting for honours and survival.
Online Reporter