Berea FC were crowned champions of the Zwonaka and Lutande Eating House Soccer Tournament after beating Ngwenani Young Chiefs 5-4 in the final at the Tshivhilwi Tshiberetheni Grounds on Sunday.
Berea will receive a cash prize of R15,000, a floating trophy, soccer kit, and gold medals during a ceremony to be held at the Lutande Eating House in Tshivhilwi this coming Saturday.
Young Chiefs dominated the first 20 minutes of the game but ran out of steam towards the end of the first half. Berea remained composed, despite facing pressure in their territory. They regrouped and started playing attacking football as the game progressed.
Berea's right-winger, Funanani Nethononda, was fouled within the box four minutes before the half-time whistle, resulting in a penalty being awarded to Berea. Unfortunately, Wilton Netshisaulu missed the chance when his shot was saved by Chiefs' goalkeeper, Tshifhiwa Rasivhaga.
Young Chiefs' scoring chances were reduced when their Rastafarian striker, Rotondwa Rammela, suffered a knee injury and had to be taken off the pitch on a stretcher. He was replaced by Thendo Mathobo. Mutshutshu Nkhumeleni of Young Chiefs received a reprimand in the form of a card for obstructing Funanani Nethononda in the dying minutes of the game.
No goals were scored during regulation time, and the winner was determined through a penalty shootout. Both sides converted three of their five chances, leading to a sudden-death penalty shootout to determine the winner. Berea successfully converted their first two sudden-death penalties, while Young Chiefs missed one, securing the victory for Berea.