Tshakhuma RO United proved all their critics wrong by beating their neighbours, Tshakhuma Na Ndilani FC, 2-0 in the final of the Tshakhuma Holiday Tournament at the Tshakhuma Tshiemuemu grounds on Sunday.

Tshakhuma Na Ndilani, or TNT as they are widely known, enjoyed ball possession for the better part of the first half, but it was difficult for them to find their way through the defence of United.

The TNT strikers, Rofhiwa “Danger” Netshiungani and Ndamulelo Mukwevho, could not live up to the fans’ expectations as they were tightly marked. The United captain, Rendani Mukomafhedzi, was the first player to go into the referee’s book. He was lucky to escape with yellow after tackling Rolivhuwa Mukwevho from behind in the 18th minute.

United opened their account in the 24th minute. Rinae Madzhuta deflected the ball into the net after a square pass from Thivhulawi Silima. TNT did not stop fighting, even after conceding a silly goal. They came close to scoring in the 34th minute. Their captain, Nndwamato Miriri, received a neat pass from Ndivhuwo Lishivha and lost possession at the edge of the box.

The wheel of fortune turned against TNT again seven minutes before the break. They were awarded a free kick just outside the box. The players of United were not happy with the referee’s decision to award them a free kick. They argued that the incident happened within the box and that the referee should have awarded them a penalty instead.

The situation came back to normal after the referee warned Khathutshelo Mukomafhedzi with a card for a continued argument. Mukomafhedzi scored from the free kick to bring the half-time score to 2-0. Heavy rain started to fall in the area towards the end of the game. The officials of TNT pleaded with the match officials to stop the game, saying the pitch was slippery and causing danger to their players. The referee adhered to the call and blew the final whistle 15 minutes before the actual time.

The U/13 category was won by Tshakhuma Yebo Yes. Yebo Yes lost 1-2 to Tshakhuma Peace Lovers in the final but the game was played under protest after Peace Lovers failed to produce identification documents for some of the players. The tournament’s disciplinary committee ruled in favour of Yebo Yes and the first prizes were presented to Yebo Yes during the ceremony.

Tshakhuma Shooting Stars won the U/17 category. The champions in each youth category were presented with soccer kit, training bibs and soccer balls during the ceremony.

Four teams affiliated to the MMK Administrators League, Tshakhuma RO United, Tshakhuma Na Ndilani, Maweja Takers and KK Revolution, took part in the tournament. The Makhado Local Football Association teams which took part in the tournament are Tshakhuma Peace Lovers, Tshakhuma Shooting Stars, Yebo Yes and Tshakhuma Na Ndilani.

The tournament was organized by a non-profit organization, Mavu Sports Development, and funded by the Vhembe District Municipality and the Royal Netherlands Embassy.