The Sunday News
Peter Matika, Senior Life Reporter
Godlwayo in Matabeleland South district roared to life during the National Hero’s holiday last week, as some of its South African based sons organised a three-day Fiesta-cum-soccer tournament.
About 1 000 villagers graced the festival dubbed the Mqondisi Sibanda Tournament, which was characterised with dance and sport.
Seven teams, including a visiting South African social league team, Sakhile Rovers — owned by the SA-based Sibanda, battled for supremacy in the three-day tournament held in Mabuze.
The fiesta, a co-operative effort between the South Africa-based Sibanda and Butho Dube, was launched with the hope of developing not only the district, but as well as a football team to represent the district at division and premier league level.
The tourney even garnered for the presence of soccer legends and administrators such as businessman and Highlanders Football Club board chairperson — Mgcini Nkolomi, soccer legends, Dazzy Kapenya and Ronald Sibanda, who were tasked with putting up and coaching the teams that battled it out for to land the top post.
The businessmen, Sibanda and Dube, also pledged an astounding $10 000 towards the development of the sport and a team in the district next year.
“This is our home and we want to have our own team representing us not only at social level but at Division One and maybe one day at Premier League level. Therefore we are pledging $10 000 towards the project,” said Sibanda.
He added: “The idea was to develop not only my team from South Africa but also our local Godlwayo team. For the South Africans, I wanted them to experience the different climates and terrains of different countries, as the team endevours to be in the division league. The tourney was also to honour our legends such as Dazzy and Ronald.”
The two businessmen also slaughtered two cows to feed the villagers in attendance of the fest.
Said Dube: “We don’t want to take credit for the tourney and say it was a collaborative effort between two people. But it is something we did with the rest of our brothers and sisters from Godlwayo. It is an event for our place of origin; we are children of Godlwayo and want to develop our home. Each of us chipped in where it was necessary.”
Godlwayo Soccer League board chairman, Bhekimpilo Maranda Sithole said he was impressed with the response from community members in working towards developing not only the sport but the community.
“It’s pleasing to see how big our project is growing and also to note how community members are coming together to build this dream. Obviously we were inspired by Tsholotsho district that managed to develop a team that went from being just a rural team to a premier league team,” said Sithole.
He added that they wanted to procure and develop a soccer pitch, as well as soccer kits to see this project through.
Another board member Zibusiso Majankwe Ncube commended the teams for playing professionally during the tournament, which was ultimately scooped by ZRP Mat South.
“As you witnessed we had seven teams, which we placed in groups. The teams played professionally and we are certain that we will be in the league soon.”
Teams that participated in the league: Godlwayo (select), ZRP Mat South (select), Sakhile Rovers (SA), X-Man FC, Mashura FC, Farvick FC and West Nicholson FC
@peterkmatika
