Last Sunday was a memorable day for Maramanzhi Sweepers Football Club. They were crowned the champions of the annual Bilisi Soccer Festival at the Tshenzhelani grounds.

Sweepers beat Masisi FC 3-1 in the final. Their first goal was scored by Sipho Shikololo, who converted a penalty towards the end of the first half. The other two goals came via Gudani Mphaphuli and Louis Phetheli later in the game.

Masisi did not throw in the towel, despite the fact that time was fast running out for them. Their consolation goal was scored by Baldwin Matshete, whose performance was outstanding throughout the game. Sweepers received prize money of R3 200 during a ceremony shortly after the final whistle.

 As he runners-up, Masisi FC pocketed R2 300 while teams that were booted out of the competition in the semifinal stage, Tshenzhelani FC and Tuwani FC, received R1 000 each.

Masisi beat Tshenzhelani in the semi-final, while Sweepers’ way to the final went via Tuwani FC, whom they crushed 4-0.

Baldwin Machete of Masisi FC received the oldest player award. Machete and his son are regular players for Masisi FC. Maramanzhi Sweepers are lifting the trophy for the second time. They were crowned the champions in the inaugural event in 2011. Masisi were crowned the champions in 2013.

Sipho Shikololo, the Sweepers’ fast forward, received the top goal scorer award. He scored three goals in the tournament. Hulisani Madide of Sweepers and Thanyani Phosiwa of Tshenzhelani received special awards for having played every year since the inception of the tournament.