Vondwe XI Bullets are in high spirits after being crowned champions of the Lumveleni Pre-season Soccer Tournament at the Ngudza Grounds last Sunday.
Bullets beat Kalahari Stars 3-1 in the final to lift the trophy. They received R25,000, a floating trophy, gold medals and a soccer kit at a ceremony held at the Lumveleni Restaurant after the game. Bullets' path to the final included a 3-2 victory over Vhembe Tron in their semi-final at the same venue earlier that day.
Kalahari Stars received R15,000, silver medals and a soccer kit. The Stars had secured their place in the final with a 4-3 win over Kwena FC in their semi-final.
The semi-final losers, Vhembe Tron and Kwena FC, each received R5,000. Teams eliminated in the quarter-finals — Mbilwi United Stars, Manamani Blue Birds, Shayandima Dynamos and Ngwenani Young Chiefs — each received a consolation prize of R1,500.
Addressing hundreds of football fans at the ceremony, tournament sponsor representative Mr Dan Ndou said he was impressed with the way the tournament had been administered. He praised the club officials and players for their good conduct throughout and revealed that another tournament is planned for December.
In Sunday's final, Vondwe XI Bullets opened the scoring through Lucky Mutshotsho, before Phathutshedzo Nemagovhani doubled the lead towards the end of the first half.
Kalahari Stars' only goal came from Vuledzani Davhana, who capitalised on a defensive clearance error to fire in a rocket. Bullets sealed the win when Khalirendwe Banya broke free down the left and unleashed a powerful strike from inside the box.