Madombidzha FC were crowned as the new champions of the Sinthumule and Kutama Easter Soccer Challenge after they beat Muraleni FC 7-6 in the final that was played at the Madabani Vhuilafuri Stadium on Sunday.

The two teams played to a 1-all draw and the winner was determined by penalty shoot-out.

Muraleni had an early opportunity for a goal in the opening minutes, but John Marindi shot into the hands of the opponents´ keeper, Hector Malange. The Muraleni boys´ misfortune continued in the 17th minute when one of their strikers shot over the bar, with only the keeper to beat. John Marindi was yellow carded for rough tackling a few minutes later.

The Madombidzha side´s woes continued in the 37th minute, when Percy Munonoka´s well-timed shot missed the poles by a mere inch. Muraleni´s midfielder-cum-striker, Godwin Mahuwa, scored in the 40th minute, after he received a well-cooked pass from Duncan Maringa. Their celebration was cut short when Percy Munonoka equalized in the 42nd minute.

Madombidzha´s striker, Isaac Mulaudzi, did not live up to expectations as he was tightly marked. Muraleni should have scored in the dying minutes, but Mutshutshu Mmbodi´s shot hit the crossbar and bounced back into the field of play.

In the penalty shoot-out, Madombidzha scored 6 penalties, while Muraleni missed one.