The final game of the Mafhungwana Soccer Tournament between Malavuwe Great Movers and Berea FC, played at the Mukula Tshidzanitshamaria Grounds on Monday, ended in chaos. Great Movers were leading 2-1 when pandemonium broke out.
Movers had taken a 2-0 lead at one point, after Emmanuel Neswiswi opened the scoring in the 28th minute. They doubled the lead six minutes into the second half, when Rendani Mnete headed home from a free kick taken by Xinavona Chauke. Berea pulled one back when Funanani Nethononda beat the goalkeeper with a header, following a scramble in the box.
What would have been the equalising goal for Berea became the centre of controversy. Ndamulelo Tshamunwe unleashed a half-volley from the right corner in the 74th minute. The ball penetrated through the net and landed outside the field of play. The players, fans and officials of Berea began celebrating the goal, but their celebrations were cut short when the referee signalled that the goal was not legitimate. According to him, the ball had hit the side netting and landed outside the field of play.
A heated argument ensued between the Berea players and the match officials. Realising the officials were not going to reverse their decision, the players opted not to continue with the game.
According to the chairman of the organising committee, Mr Avhapfani Nengwekhulu, a decision was later taken to declare Great Movers the winners.
Following the committee's decision, Great Movers were awarded R20,000, a floating trophy, gold medals and a soccer kit. Berea FC received R10,000, silver medals and a soccer kit. Thohoyandou Manchester Flying Stars went home with R7,000 and bronze medals after finishing in third place. The fourth-placed side, Musasenda Big Five, received R5,000 and a soccer kit, while teams knocked out in the quarter-finals were each awarded R2,000.