HAMAKUYA – Makuya Try Again are the 2004 champions of the Solly Luvhengo annual tournament. They beat Guyuni Hotspurs 1-0 in the final that was staged at the Makuya Sports grounds on Saturday.

The game started at a fast pace with both sides creating chances for their strikers. The players nearly spoiled the good game when they started to display their rough skills. The situation returned to normal when the referee, Mr Ndavheleseni Ramugondo, flashed two yellow cards in quick succession. The players who were booked for different infringements were Tshifhiwa Munyai of Hotspurs and Pandelani Makuya of Try Again.

The struggle continued with both sides making empty promises. That resulted in the half-time score being 0-0.

Hotspurs replaced two players in the second half. They introduced Vhutshilo Mudau and Azwinndini Makuya for Tshifhiwa Munyai and Mbulaheni Mungadi respectively.

Try Again later brought on Pomokani Netshikameloni for Hulisani Makuya. That proved to be a clever move on the part of their technical staff, as they started creating some dangerous moves from the middle of the park. The goal that earned Try Again the championship came in the 80th minute via Thovhedzo Mukhada. He blasted in a volley after the Hotspurs keeper, Enock Nengome, mishandled the ball. Hotspurs missed a fortune two minutes before the final whistle. Their left flank, Emmanuel Matumba, went loose from what looked like an offside position and shot wide with the keeper to beat.

In the loser’s final match that was played at the same venue prior to the main match, Gondeni Brave Lions crushed Maholoni Stone Breakers Football Club 3-2. Makuya Try Again will receive a cheque of R2 500 during the prize-giving ceremony that will be held at the Makuya tribal office on Sunday.