Rabali FC, or Magaraba, are still celebrating after being crowned the champions of the Taki’s Soccer Challenge at the Rabali Stadium last Saturday.

Magaraba, who beat Seven United Brothers in the final, took home R7 000, a soccer kit, gold medals and a floating trophy.

The prize-giving ceremony was held at the stadium shortly after the final.

Magaraba’s way to the final went via Nzhelele United Stars, whom they beat 4-1 in the semifinal at the same venue earlier that day. Seven United Brothers were presented with a cash prize of R4 000, silver medals and a soccer kit.

Seven United Brothers beat Matanda Seven Stars 5-4 in the semifinal stage to secure a place in the final. The winner was determined through penalty shoot-out after a 2-2 full-time stalemate. The teams that were booted out of the tournament in the semifinal stage, Matanda Seven Stars and Nzhelele United Stars, were each presented with R2 000 and a soccer kit.

Twenty teams affiliated to the Makhado Local Football Association and the MMK Administrators League took part in the tournament. According to one of the organizers of the tournament, Mr Takalani Rabali, Altech, Daytona Group and Rabali Transport sponsored the tournament. He added that the children from the Rabali Resource Centre would benefit from the income that was raised during the tournament. He further revealed that the tournament will be an annual event, with the sponsorship increasing from time to time.