The Sunday News
Senior Sports Reporter
LOCAL football greats Dazzy Kapenya and Ronald Gidiza Sibanda were the most notable guests at the Godlwayo Cup tournament held at Mbembesi Primary School in Filabusi, Matabeleland South last Saturday.
Former Highlanders captain Kapenya was the guest of honour at the tournament that saw four select teams from the Godlwayo South Soccer League battle it out. Kapenya was accompanied former Zimbabwe Warriors midfielder Sibanda with the two handing over the winners’ trophy.
Also present at the event was Insiza South Member of Parliament Malachi Nkomo as well as Ward Seven councillor Douglas Sibanda.
Bulawayo businessman and one of the sponsors of the tournament Bhekimpilo Maranda Sithole said participants were drawn from the 12 teams that make up the fledgling Godlwayo South Soccer League. The four select teams were comprised two sides apiece from both the south and north of Filabusi.
The teams from the north played one another and so where those from the south with the winners clashing in the final. The team from the south emerged 2-1 victors.
Nqobani Sibanda, a student teacher at Mkwabene Primary School took home the player of the tournament accolade which was in the form of a trophy.
Mbembesi, Mapewume, Bambanani, Vokola, Singwambizi and Mabuze made up the southern contingent while Avoca, Hlokoloza, Dekezi, Hlatshwayo, Mbondweni as well as Silalatshani were drawn from the north.
“The turnout was good, we had about 400 people despite the bad weather, and I was really impressed by the number of women who came out. A cow was slaughtered, food was provided for everyone who pitched up and transport was provided for all the teams,’’ said Sithole.
“We want to pay back and uplift the community which raised us. Our dream is to have a team from rural Godlwayo playing in the premier league, we saw that happening with Tsholotsho,’’ added Sithole.
Apart from Sithole, the tournament was also bankrolled by Zibusiso Majankwe Ncube while Kossam Mavuna Ndlovu provided a trophy, medals and soccer balls for the tournament.
The trio’s long term plan is to have a team from Insiza South play in the Zimbabwe Football Association Matabeleland South Division Two League next year.
Ncube took time off from the tournament to donate 15 soccer kits and socks to his former school Mbembesi in addition to the kit that he donated last year.
A similar tournament was held in December last year in Singwambizi while at the end of the year another legend of the game Madinda Ndlovu will be guest of honour at another event pencilled for the end of the year.
