Mukondeni Young Chief were crowned champions of the Vhoruler and Sabie Top-16 Soccer Tournament after defeating Masakona Real Citizen 1-0 in the final at the Davhana Grounds on Saturday.

During the prize-giving ceremony, Mr Given Makhubele, managing director of sponsors the Goloza Group, announced that his company would continue to sponsor the rural tournament next season, with an increased sponsorship amount. “We are part of this community, and we are doing this to support local people,” he said.

He emphasised that sponsorships played a vital role in sports development and described soccer as a community-building sport.

The champions, Mukondeni Young Chief, walked away with a floating trophy, R30,000, a soccer kit, a trophy and gold medals. Runners-up Real Citizen received R10,000, a soccer kit and silver medals. The third- and fourth-placed teams, Mashamba Soccer Academy and TK FC, each received R4,500.