The team from the Grace of Love Special School beat their opponents, Tshilwavhusiku Special School, 2-0 in the group B final of the Special Olympics soccer tournament match which was played at Tshifulanani on Saturday.

Tshilwavhusiku’s players were out of touch throughout the first half. Their strikers squandered countless scoring opportunities.

Funzani Ramabulana was the first player to upset the fans. He received a neat pass from Pfarelo Phaswana in the middle of park and ran straight to the penalty area. Instead of chipping the ball or trying other possible ways to get around the keeper, Ramabulana chose to shoot straight into the goalkeeper’s hands.

Thomas Mphaphuli committed a similar blunder in the third minute. He hesitated for too long to leash until a defender of Grace, Takalani Mudau, dispossessed him.

Tshilwavhusiku organised themselves from the defence and took the match to their opponents, but their stamina faded with time. Lavhelesani Tshililo received the ball from the centre line and went straight for the lone keeper to score his team’s first goal in the 47th minute.

Takalani Mudau of Grace missed a sitter towards the end of the first half and he was replaced by James Mashau. Kgomotso Selete and Nditsheni Nweli were cautioned with cards for obstruction and the application of dirty tricks.

The last goal of the day was scored by Emmanuel Musetsho, in the dying minutes of the match.

The tournament was sponsored by Express Store Thohoyandou, TS Dali, Wimpy, and Mass Computers. Express Store donated four soccer kits to the teams who reached the semi-finals.

The winners in stream A were Hayani, who went home with a trophy, gold medals and a new soccer kit. The runners up, Unarine Day Care Centre, collected silver medals and a soccer kit.

In stream B, the champions, Grace of Love Special School, also received a trophy, soccer kit and gold medals. Tshilwavhusiku, who ended in the second position, received a soccer kit and silver medals.