Gondeni Brave Lion was crowned the champion of the Orimali Projects Soccer Tournament after they beat Gondeni Big Cat 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out. The annual two-day tournament was held at the Makuya-Domboni Sports Grounds in Ha-Makuya village from Saturday, 29 to Sunday, 30 July.
Eight teams from in and around Ha-Makuya participated in the tournament, namely Dipeni FC, Gondeni Big Cat, Mahagala FC, Masisi Young Stars, Maholoni Stone Breakers, Tshilamusi Super Eagle, Gondeni Brave Lion, and Makuya Try Again.
The brain behind the tournament, Livhuwani "Lebo" Phosiwa, said the main reason for organising the soccer tournament was that he wanted to give back to his community. "We are also empowering rural women, who get the chance to sell their food at the tournament and by so doing generate an income to put food on the table for their families, while the tournament provides entertainment for the younger people," added Phosiwa.
This year's winning team was awarded R6,000, a soccer kit, a big trophy, 25 medals, and a ball. The runners up won themselves R3,000, a soccer kit and a ball, while the third-place winners were rewarded with R1,000 and a ball.
Thikho Magalela, the captain of Gondeni Brave Lion, said that regular practise and hard work, and listening to the coach were what had put them at the top. He said they would use the money they had won to develop their team.