Maranzhe Hungry Lions lifted the Petrus Madzuhe Soccer Challenge Cup, after beating Phandulaluvalo FC 3-1 in the final at the Maranzhe grounds on Sunday.

The game had all the ingredients of a cup-final fixture as both sides fired on all cylinders from the first whistle. The referee, Mr Eric Munyai, had a long afternoon as the teams gave each other no time to breathe.

The keeper of Hungry Lions, Lugisani Ndou, denied Phandulaluvalo two sure goals in the 14th and 20th minutes. Firstly, Ndou advanced out of the penalty area to block Pfarelo Nemaranzhe’s shot. Ndou was in the thick of things shortly afterwards. This time around he stretched to the limit to palm Ipfi Radzilani’s volley away for a corner kick.

Ndifelani Nevhulaudzi of Hungry Lions was reprimanded with a card for a late tackle on Phathutshedzo Masindi in the 29th minute.

Phandulaluvalo approached the last half with their tails up but the Lions’ keeper stopped on their way to victory.

The game came to a halt for about 15 minutes while allowing the Lions’ keeper, Lugisani Ndou, to change his soccer boots. This after the referee had indicated that the boots were dangerous to the other players. Ndou was reluctant to change the boots, saying he used the same boots in all their previous games and the referees had remained silent. It was after a heated argument between Ndou and the match officials that the keeper finally succumbed.

The winner was determined through penalty shootout as both sides failed to find the net during regulation time. Hungry Lions scored through Lufuno Ndou, Ndifelani Nevhulaudzi and Thifhulufhelwi Nevhulaudzi, while Phandulaluvalo converted only one via Ofhani Nemakonde.

Themba Sunrise Riders beat Tshivhilidulu Hungry Lions 2-1 in their losers’ final match at the same venue earlier that day.