Ngwenani Young Chiefs are still in a celebratory mood after being crowned champions of the Lumveleni Easter Soccer Tournament at the Ngudza Grounds on Monday.
Young Chiefs beat Buluni Happy Boys 2-0 in the final to lift the trophy. Their path to the final went through Tshilavulu Elite, whom they thrashed 3-0 in their semi-final match at the same venue earlier that day.
Mayanere, as they are affectionately known, were presented with R15,000, a floating trophy, soccer kit, gold medals and a soccer ball during a ceremony at the Lumveleni Restaurant after the match. Buluni Happy Boys walked away with R8,000, along with a soccer kit, silver medals and a soccer ball.
Happy Boys secured their place in the final after a 4-3 win over Thohoyandou Manchester Flying Stars in a penalty shootout, following a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation time.
The teams eliminated in the semi-finals – Tshilavulu Elite and Thohoyandou Manchester Flying Stars – each received R4,000 and a soccer ball. Those knocked out in the quarter-finals – Shayandima Dynamos, Lwamondo Mighty Brothers, Tshikambe FC and Kwena FC – were each consoled with a soccer ball.
During the prize-giving ceremony, a representative from the sponsors, Mr Dan Ndou, said he was impressed with how the tournament had been administered. He pledged continued sponsorship for the tournament in future.
Sixteen teams from across Vhembe participated in last weekend's tournament.