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Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
CANADA-based former AmaZulu and Zimbabwe Warriors goalkeeper Dominic Sithole, together with Nqoba Ncube, who is also domiciled in the North American country are holding an inaugural eight-team tournament in Mahlabathini, Inyathi today.
Sithole, a Premier Soccer League championship winner with the now defunct AmaZulu in 2003 said winners of the tournament, which has a total sponsorship package of $2 500 will walk away with a full playing uniform as well as gold medals. A full kit is also in store for the runners-up together with silver medals while the team in third place will take home bronze medals.
Also in store are individual accolades for the most outstanding player, goalkeeper as well as top goal scorer. The teams played the quarter-finals yesterday with four which remained to take to the field in the semi-finals this morning ahead of the final in the afternoon.
Sithole and Ncube whose families hail from Mahlabathini said it was a way of giving back to the community where they come from. The two are planning to make the tournament an annual event.
Ncube has also taken advantage of the tournament to celebrate his father Elias James’s 80th birthday with the old man set to grace the event and present prizes.
Sithole has over the last few years returned home to give back to the community. He was the guest of honour during the Khumbulani Moyo bankroleld annual Inyathi New Year’s Day Soccer Tournament held at Badala Business Centre where he donated various individual prizes. A few days later, he donated a soccer kit to his former school, Mpumelelo Secondary in Nkayi. Prior to his departure for Canada, Sithole, together with his former Warriors teammate Tapuwa Kapini imparted their knowledge to aspiring goalkeepers under the First Mobile Soccer Academy which is owned by another Zimbabwean, Isaac Mbedzi who is based in the Canadian city of Montreal. Sithole, who lives in Edmonton, is a dormant partner of the Mbedzi run academy.
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Online Reporter