Basel wallop Hotspurs to lift the Makhadi trophy

FC Basel are still in a celebratory mood after defeating Muraga Hazard Hotspurs 4-0 to become the NR Makhadi Soccer Challenge champions at Gondeni Stadium last Saturday.

Matimu Mhlaba, Hakhakhi Mudau, Leon Sithole, and Vuledzani Ntsieni were the goal scorers in the final match. Basel scored a total of nine goals in the two matches they played that day. This came after they had walloped Mbahe Freedom Rebels 5-1 in their semi-final match at the same venue earlier in the day.

FC Basel were presented with R10,000, a floating trophy, a soccer kit, gold medals, and a soccer ball during a ceremony held at the stadium after the final game. The runners-up, Muraga Hazard Hotspurs, took home R5,000, silver medals, a soccer kit, and a soccer ball. Muraga Hazard Hotspurs had beaten Mukona All Stars 2-1 in their semi-final match to secure a place in the final. The third-placed side, Mukoma All Stars, received R3,000, a soccer kit, bronze medals, and a soccer ball, while the fourth-placed team, Mbahe Freedom Rebels, collected R1,000, a soccer kit, and a soccer ball.

Leon Sithole of Basel was nominated as the Player of the Tournament. He received R1,500 and a trophy. Ladeck Michavi of Basel received R1,400 and a trophy after being named the best goalkeeper in the tournament. Three players, Emmanuel Neswiswi of Mukoma All Stars, Leon Sithole, and Matimu Mhlaba from Basel, shared the top goal scorer’s award as each of them had scored four goals in the tournament.

Date:12 October 2023

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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