Mashamba Soccer Academy emerged as champions of the ninth annual Mabena Soccer Challenge after beating Madridtas 5-4 in the final on Sunday, 24 September. The two teams played to a 0-0 draw, and the winner had to be determined via a penalty shootout.
During the prize-giving function, the director of Singo Mining, Mr. Robert Nesengani, said that the company would continue to sponsor the rural soccer tournament next season. He promised that the sponsorship amount would also increase next season.
The organiser of the event, Ms. Mercy Rambau, praised the sponsors for their decision to sponsor local football. "I'm very proud that we have nurtured young people of real quality," she said.
The champions, Mashamba Soccer Academy, went home with two new soccer kits, a trophy, gold medals, and R30,000. The runners-up, Madridtas FC, collected R20,000, two new soccer kits, and silver medals. Sambandou United Professionals, the team that finished in the third position, received R10,000 and bronze medals.
Tshegofatso Moedi of Mashamba Soccer Academy won the Best Young Player trophy. The award for Goalkeeper of the Tournament went to Langutani Baloyi of Sambandou United Professionals, and the Coach of the Tournament trophy was collected by Aluwani Rambau of Mashamba Soccer Academy.