The side from Tshikota was victorious in the 14th Hollywoodbets Easter Soccer Challenge played at the Tshikwarani Rainbow Grounds over the long weekend. Tshikota managed to beat a spirited squad from Madombidzha in the final.
The final match on Sunday (9 April) delivered the much-awaited drama, and after no goals were scored during regulation time, the outcome had to be decided via penalty shootout. Tshikota won 6-5, much to the excitement of their fans and coach, Mr Forget Mafela.
"We started preparing a month before the tournament, and we played some friendly matches," said Mafela. He added that this gave the technical team the opportunity to get the right combination of players.
Sixteen local teams participated in the Easter Soccer Challenge. This is an annual event, organised by the non-profit organisation, Mamu Community Development. The winners, Tshikota Location, won R20 000 and a soccer kit, and went home with the floating trophy. The runners-up, Madombidzha Village, received R10 000 and a soccer kit. The two teams that lost in the semi-final each received R5 000, while teams ending in positions five to eight received R2 500. The teams that fell out in the first round received R500 each.
Mamu's general secretary, Mr Jafter Mamugudubi, thanked the sponsors for making the event possible. The main sponsors are:
Premjee and Son Cash & Carry, Hollywoodbets, KFC, Collins Sebola Group, Hyundai Louis Trichardt, Nkoli Enterprise, Phadziri Bus Service, Coca-Cola, FNB, Phadziri Coaches, Talisman Hire, R. Phadziri Bros, Mikasa, Postnet Makhado, Soutpansberg Cold Storage, and Trade Post 2075cc / Afrox.
A representative of the Collins Sebola Group spoke on behalf of the sponsors at the prize-giving and said that they were proud to be associated with the event. "We promise to make this tournament even more successful next year and increase the cash prizes to the champions," he said. Mamu Community Development was also thanked for organising the event.