The Makonde Home Defenders grounds will be the centre of attention next Thursday, June 16. That is where the much-awaited final for the MTG Soccer Challenge will be staged.
Shadani Dangerous Scorpions and Makonde FC will meet in the dream final. The Scorpions' way to the final went via Tshilulu Young Tigers, whom they beat 6-5 in their quarterfinal match. They went further to beat Mudaswali United Brothers 6-5 in the semifinal stage. The winner was determined through penalty shootout as no goal was scored in the regulation time.
Makonde FC beat Tshilulu FC 3-1 to secure a place in the semifinal stage. They went further to beat Makonde Youth Development 1-0 in the semifinal to book a place in the final.
Scorpions will pin their hopes on Mulanga Tshisaphungo, Meshack Baloyi and Ronewa Tshibalanganda for goals, while their Makonde counterparts, Gundo Tshikalange, Lesley Magwabeni and Advice Munyai, will keep the Scorpions defence running if not well contained.
Makonde Youth Development and Mudaswali United Brothers will meet in their losers' final match, starting at 12:30, while the final is scheduled to kick off at 15:00.
According to one of the organizers of the tournament, Mr Madambini Maswime, the champions of the tournament will receive R2 500 and a soccer kit. The team in second position will receive R1 800 and a soccer kit. The third- and fourth-placed teams will take home R800 and R500 respectively.
Teams that were booted out of the competition in the quarterfinal stage, Makonde Home Defenders, Tshilulu FC, Tshilulu Young Tigers and Tswera Young Masters, will each receive R100. Maswime said that local music artists, including a well-known reggae star, Shufflers Ragimana, will entertain the guests before and after the games.