Will United Brothers retain Nemakonde Trophy?

This weekend marks the start of the annual Boy Nemakonde Soccer Tournament. The tournament was officially launched during a ceremony in Begwa village two weeks ago.

Just like in the previous years, eight teams will take part in this year’s tournament. All matches will be staged at the Tshifudi Stadium, with the quarterfinal round starting tomorrow.

The opening quarterfinal match will be between Lukalo Hotspurs and Begwa United Brothers at 09:00. Tshaulu Hungry Lions and New Discovery FC will follow and in the third match Nduvheni FC and Buluni Happy Boys will lock horns at 13:00.

The day’s programme will be wrapped up by the match between Munangwe United Brothers and Mushiru Young Tigers. It remains to be seen whether Munangwe United Brothers will be able to defend their title after lifting the trophy last year.

The toss for the semifinal matches will be conducted at the stadium tomorrow, shortly after the final game.

The semifinal matches will be played next Saturday, 9 June, while the final is scheduled for Saturday, 23 June.

 According to one of the organizers of the tournament, Mr Eric Murudi, this year’s champions will take receive R13 000, 11 pairs of soccer boots, six soccer balls, a soccer kit and a floating trophy. Eighteen players of the winning team will each receive R500, while the team’s coach will receive a R1 000 award.

The runners-up will take home R1 500, 11 pairs of soccer boots, soccer kit and six soccer balls. The third-placed team will receive R1 500 and six soccer balls, while the team that will finish in the fourth place will be presented with six soccer balls.

The teams that will lose in the first round will each receive a consolation prize of two soccer balls. Individual awards will be presented to the player of the tournament (R1 500), the best goalkeeper (R1 500) and the top goal scorer (R1 000).

A local resident, Mr Boy Nemakonde, is the sole sponsor of the tournament. 

Date:31 May 2018

By: Frank Mavhungu

Frank is a Human Resources Manager at the Department of Public Works in Limpopo. He is the longest serving correspondent of the Mirror, having joined us at the end of 1990.  He mainly writes sports reports and resides at Tsianda Village. In 2004, Frank won the National Castle League Award, an award for the best reporter in the SAB league in South Africa.

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