Tshakhuma Peace Makers U/13 Football Club were crowned the champions of the Matange Brick and Tile Soccer Tournament at the Tshakhuma Malaria grounds last Saturday. This after they beat Tshakhuma Young Tigers 4-2 in the final.

Peace Makers were presented with a brand new soccer kit during a ceremony that was held at the grounds shortly after the final. During the ceremony, the managing director of the company, Mr RR Matshepete, revealed that this year’s sponsorship was the starting point of the relationship that will last for years to come. He stated that the sponsorship would increase every year, saying next season’s champions would take home a floating trophy, soccer kit and 11 pairs of soccer boots.

Matshepete further stated that, as a parent himself, it was his wish to see all children having a bright future. He appealed to the children to strike a balance between education and sports. Matshepete also indicated that he was impressed by the performance of one of the players for the teams that took part in the losers’ final, Shooting Stars.

The 10-year old Livhuwani Ndou, who was wearing the captain’s arm band, was a thorn in the flesh of the opponents, TNN Academy. Matshepete stated that he would adopt the young player for the rest of his football career.

The runners-up, Young Tigers, were presented with a cash prize of R500. Shooting Stars took home R350 while TNN Academy went home with a consolation prize of R150. During the ceremony, a local ward councilor, Cllr TA Mmbadi, appealed to other businessmen to start sponsoring development teams. Mmbadi appealed to the children not to forget that they were the ones who could determine their own future.

Four teams, TNN Academy, Tshakhuma Shooting Stars, Tshakhuma Young Tigers and the champions, Tshakhuma Peace Makers, took part in the tournament. Shooting Stars beat TNN Academy 4-3 in their losers’ final match earlier that day.