Chudu Young Chiefs from Nwamankena village were crowned the 2016 champions of the Zama Zama Soccer Challenge at the Homu 14B KYD grounds on New Year's eve.
They beat Giyani All Stars 3-2 in the final. Young Chiefs were presented with R25 000, a soccer kit, gold medals and a floating trophy during a ceremony held at the grounds shortly after the final.
The runners-up, Giyani All Stars, took home a cash prize of R15 000 and silver medals. The teams booted out in the semifinal stage of the competition, Thomo Dynaros FC and Jilongo Killers, were each presented with cash of R5 000. Chudu Young Chiefs beat Jilongo Killers 3-1 in the first semifinal match, while Thomo Dynaros lost 0-2 to Giyani All Stars.
Jilongo Killers were also presented with R300 after winning the fair play award. A player of Chudu Young Chiefs, Television Masuluke, won both the top-goal-scorer and the player-of-the-soccer-challenge awards. He was presented with two trophies and R600 during the ceremony.
In the women's category, Mavalani Real Mighty Girls were crowned the champions after beating Moria Sweepers Ladies 5-3 in the final. They received R5 000, gold medals, a soccer kit and a floating trophy. Sweepers received R2 500 and silver medals.
Giyani Masters were crowned the champions in the masters category. They beat Thomo Masters 1-0 in the final and received a floating trophy and gold medals.
Mr Simon Maluleke, who officiated in the final game between Chudu Young Chiefs and Giyani All Stars, received the Best Referee award. He was presented with a trophy and R300. The sponsors for the competition include Coca Cola Fortune, Baloyi Attorneys, Dr Muxe Chabalala and Haward Mashaba and Nduma ya Manwanati.
The Minister of Communications, Ms Faith Muthambi, was among the guests who graced the event.