adminAllen Khumalo, Sports Reporter
ZIFA Bulawayo Province honoured its clubs and players that excelled during the 2016 season at an awards ceremony held at Homestead Conference Centre on Sunday.
The event was sponsored by Willsgrove Farm and attended by Bulawayo Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) coordinator Sam Dzvimbu, Bulawayo Amateur Football Association (BAFA) chairperson Chris Mthungwazi, National Association of Primary School Heads (NAPH) representative Elton Sinyosi, Zifa Southern Region chairman Musa Mandaza, who was the guest of honour, as well as Christian Thomas representing the sponsors.
Division Two champions Chiwororo walked away with $700, while Zim Leopards pocketed $500 for being runners-up. Both teams earned automatic tickets to the Southern Region Soccer Division One League for the 2017 season.
Zenzele Tigers and Sabona Mzilikazi, who earned promotion to the Bulawayo Province Division Two League, were rewarded with $400 and $300 respectively being first and second in Division Three.
Chiwororo’s Leeroy Mbewe scooped the golden boot and $100 for scoring 26 goals in the Second Division, while Tristen Gumede pocketed $50 for the same accolade in Division Three for his 17 goals.
Zim Leopards and Chicken Inn juniors were the most disciplined teams in Division Two, and Thorngrove took the award in Division Three.
Mandaza paid tribute to Willsgrove for their role in helping develop the game in the region.
“We thank companies like Willsgrove, who have sports at heart. The company has been keen to develop football at grassroots level and it is for this reason that they continue to assist despite the fragile economic environment.
“This indeed will go a long way in the development of football in Bulawayo and the country as a whole,” said Mandaza.
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Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter