Khubvi Peace Makers beat Tiger Boys FC 2-1 in the final of the Mulindavhathu Soccer Challenge at the Khubvi Tshiseluselu grounds on Sunday.

Peace Makers deserved to win from the onset. They displayed entertaining football. Their vastly experienced defender, Lufuno “Links” Ragimana, refused to allow any stranger in his side’s territory. Although Peace Makers were dictating the terms throughout the first half, they could not find the net. It was their striking force which let them down by shooting aimlessly and losing possession within the opponents’ danger area.

Tiger Boys threatened to score in the 34th minute. Their tall striker, Rofhiwa Nekhumbe, received a neat pass from Ronald Neluvhola, but instead of unleashing with his left foot, he used his time and tried his luck with his right foot. Unfortunately, the ball hit the woodwork and bounced outside the field of play for a goal kick.

The second half saw Peace Makers open their account in the 59th minute via Ipfi Muthubi. It took Tiger Boys only four minutes to retaliate. The equaliser came via Rofhiwa Nekhumbe. He hooked in the ball after a scramble within the box. Peace Makers were awarded a penalty in the 78th minute. A defender of Tiger Boys, Kholwani Nemanashi, handled the ball within the box. Khathutshelo Netshakhuma converted from the penalty spot.

Tiger Boys came back strongly later in the game, but the Peace Makers’ defence denied them a number of obvious chances. Tiger Boys effected some changes to their starting line-up towards the end of the game, but it was too late to get another goal.

Peace Makers received a floating trophy, a soccer kit, gold medals and 15 pairs of soccer boots during the ceremony that was held at the local chief’s kraal later in the afternoon. Tiger Boys received a soccer kit, silver medals and a soccer net. The teams that were booted out in the semi-final stage of the tournament, Damani Powerlines and Khubvi African Stars, each received soccer kits.

The teams that lost in the quarterfinals, Khubvi Dangerous Darkies, Mudaswali United Brothers and Makonde Young Tigers, received R750 and a soccer ball each.

The top goal scorer in the tournament, Thabo Radzilani of Khubvi Peace Makers, the goalkeeper of the tournament, Phathutshedzo Sivhidzho of African Stars, the player of the tournament, Fhulufhelo Tshikalange of Peace Makers, the coach of the tournament, Humbulani Ratshibvumo of Peace Makers and the best referee for the tournament, Vusani Matamela, were each presented with a gold medal.

During the ceremony, a local traditional leader, Vhamusanda Vho-Mulindavhathu Randima, after whom the tournament was named, revealed that the idea to stage the tournament came to him after he realized that sport is a unifying tool. He appealed to the other traditional leaders to follow suit.

The managing director of Jack Cliffy Security Services, the company which sponsored the tournament, Mr Moses Malada, said that his company would continue to sponsor the competition in the coming years, saying it was his wish to see the tournament becoming a national event in future. He added that his company was not only focused on sports development, but on other community development projects as well. During the ceremony, Malada presented school uniforms to pupils of Tshifhatani Primary School.