Sunday was a memorable day for Vondwe XI Bullets Football Club as the team were crowned champions of the Mdledle Soccer Tournament.

Bullets beat Mighty Super Power 1-0 in the final, played at the Phiphidi Guvhukuvhu Grounds, to lift the trophy. Sixteen teams from around Vhembe participated in the tournament. For their efforts, Bullets received R12,000, a floating trophy, gold medals, a soccer kit, and five soccer balls. Mighty Super Power went home with R5,000, silver medals, a soccer kit, and three soccer balls.

The teams knocked out in the semi-final round, Thohoyandou Manchester Flying Stars and Vhembe Tron FC, were each awarded R1,500 and two soccer balls. The remaining teams each received a consolation prize of one soccer ball.

Khathutshelo Majuta of Bullets received the top goal scorer’s award, while Gudani Ramalamula of Mighty Super Power was named player of the tournament. Ntakadzeni Mundalamo of Bullets was nominated as the best goalkeeper of the tournament, and the best coach’s award went to Mr Owen da Gama of XI Bullets.

Although his team did not win the final, the keeper of Mighty Super Power, Vhugala Mulaudzi, was honoured with the sponsor’s special award. Mulaudzi had saved his team from potential humiliation by making numerous crucial saves before he was stretchered off with a head injury towards the end of the game. He was awarded R3,000 during the ceremony.

The sponsor, Mr David Ramathavha, announced that the tournament would become an annual event, and that the sponsorship amount would increase each year.