Tshakhuma Peace Lovers were crowned the champions of the TD Newlook Soccer Challenge at the Tshakhuma Malaria grounds on Saturday. They beat Tshakhuma Finale FC 1-0 in the final. (Click here to see the report).
Peace Lovers were presented with R1 500 and Finale FC with R1 000.
Tshakhuma Peace Lovers' way to the final went via Tshakhuma Muthenga Porcupine FC, whom they beat 1-0 in the semifinal at the same venue earlier that day. Finale beat Tshakhuma Blue Birds 1-0 in their semifinal to secure a place in the final.
Six teams from Tshakhuma village, which are all affiliated to the Makhado Local Football Association, took part in the tournament. The teams are Tshakhuma Blue Birds, Tshakhuma Shooting Stars, Peace Lovers, Finale FC, Muthenga Porcupine FC and TNN Academy.
During the prize-giving ceremony, which was held at the grounds shortly after the final, the sponsor, Mr Takalani David Thaba, indicated that this year's tournament was a pilot tournament. According to him, the tournament will be an annual event, with the sponsorship increasing from time to time. Thaba revealed that teams reaching the final in next year's tournament will each be presented with soccer kit, apart from the cash prizes.