The opening matches of the annual Mulindavhathu Soccer Challenge were played at the Khubvi Benjie's grounds last Saturday.
The tournament was officially launched during a ceremony held at the Muzwali Business Centre Hall last Thursday morning. Eleven teams will take part in this year's tournament. The teams are: Nweli Stone Breakers, Ficus FC, Berea FC, Gaba Union Fighters, Mulodi Freedom Birds, Tshandama Try Together, Sambandou United Professionals, Mutshenzheni Gorillas, Muledzhi Fire Boys, Khubvi Dangerous Darkies and Rambuda Young Fighters.
During the ceremony, one of the organizers for the tournament, Mr Prince Mapholi, appealed to the representatives from the participating teams to adhere to the rules and regulations of the tournament.
He stressed the fact that good conduct by both the players and the officials will attract more sponsors in future and that bad conduct by the players will bring the sponsors and the organizers into disrepute.
In the three opening matches played last Saturday, Berea FC beat Gaba Union Fighters 3-1, while Nweli Stone Breakers came back from a 0-2 deficit to beat Ficus FC 4-2. Tshandama Try Together beat Sambandou United Professionals 2-1.
This year's champions will take home a cash prize of R3 000, soccer kit, a soccer ball and gold medals. The runners-up will receive R2 000, soccer kit, a soccer ball and silver medals. The third-placed side will receive R1 000 and a soccer ball.
The quarter-final matches will be played at the same venue this weekend. The fixtures are Berea FC vs Mulodi Freedom Fighters, Muledzhi Fire Boys vs Rambuda Young Fighters (tomorrow), Khubvi Dangerous Darkies vs Mutshenzheni Gorillas and Nweli Stone Breakers vs Tshandama Try Together (Sunday). The final will be played at the same venue next Saturday.