Tshifudi XI Experience were crowned the 2012 champions of the Mulindavhathu Soccer Challenge after beating Mudaswali United Brothers 2-1 at the Khubvi Tshiseluselu grounds on Sunday.

XI Experience received a floating trophy, soccer kit and gold medals and a R2 000 cash prize during the prize-giving ceremony that took place at the local chief’s kraal after the final.

Mudaswali United Brothers received R1 000, a soccer kit and silver medals, while the third-placed side, The Dolphins, were presented with R700 and bronze medals during the ceremony.

A prize of R500, which was supposed to have been presented to the fourth-placed side was retained by the organizers, as Mukula Young Santos did not honour their losers’ final match against The Dolphins.

According to the rules of the competition, a team that fails to honour a match faces an automatic dismissal from the competition. The teams which did not reach the semifinal stage of the competition were each given soccer balls.

Fifteen teams took part in the competition.

The coach of Mudaswali United Brothers, Mr Prince Mapholi, was the best coach of the tournament. The keeper of Tshifudi XI Experience, Rotshidzwa Muleka, received the best goalkeeper award, while the best player award went to Aluwani Nelufule of Tshifudi XI Experience.

·      As a way of recognizing his contribution towards the development of sports at grassroots level, a correspondent of Limpopo Mirror, Mr Frank Mavhungu, was presented with a trophy during the ceremony.