Makonde FC were crowned the champions of the Makonde Tshedza Soccer Tournament at the Makonde Home Defenders grounds last Sunday after they beat Shadani Dangerous Scorpions 2-0 in the final.
According to one of the organisers of the annual event, Mr Nyadzeni Ravhura, Makonde FC will be presented with a floating trophy, gold medals and R3 750 during a ceremony that will be held next weekend. Mr Ravhura revealed that the exact date and venue for the ceremony will be announced after their meeting that will be held this weekend.
The runners-up, Shadani Dangerous Scorpions, will take home silver medals and R2 750. The teams booted out in the semi-final stage, Tswera Hot Chilies and Makonde Manchester United, will each receive R1 750 and bronze medals. Teams knocked out of the tournament in the quarter-final stage, Mashishi FC, Tshilulu Young Tigers, Makonde Manchester United and Makonde Youth FC, will each receive a cash prize of R1 250.
Eight teams from Makonde and the surrounding areas took part in the tournament. The teams that battled it out for the championship this year were: Tswera Hot Chilies, Mashishi FC, Shadani Dangerous Scorpions, Makonde Home Defenders, Makonde Youth FC, Makonde FC, Tshilulu Young Tigers and Makonde Manchester United.
The tournament is named after the local traditional leader, Vhamusanda Vho-Tshedza Ravhura. Mr Nyadzeni Ravhura further revealed that Vhamusanda Vho-Ravhura was the sole sponsor of the tournament.
The results for the quarterfinal matches are: Tswera Hot Chilies 6, Mashishi FC 0; Shadani Dangerous Scorpions 2, Tshilulu Young Tigers 0; Makonde Home Defenders 0, Makonde Manchester United 1; and Makonde FC 1, Makonde Youth 0.
The results for the semi-final matches are: Tswera Hot Chilies 1, Makonde FC 2; and Shadani Dangerous Scorpions 3, Makonde Manchester United 2. Shadani Dangerous Scorpions lifted the trophy last year.