The Sunday News
Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter
TITANS were recently crowned Bulawayo Amateur Football Association (Bafa) area zones tournament champions at Barbourfields outside grounds after winning the final on penalties.
Titans overcame La Protonas 6-5 in the penalty shootouts to win the Townsend and Butcher sponsored tournament in its 65th anniversary. The eventual champions started their campaign with a 3-0 demolition of Unity Village in the first round of the tournament to book their place in the next stage.
Titans then booked their place in the semi-finals after overcoming Chronicle Nga in the second round on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. In the last four, Titans won 3-2 on penalties against Chronicle Nga to set up a final date against La Protonas who got the better of FC Stars after winning 3-0.
In an interesting final, Titans managed to get the better of La Protonas after yet another penalty shootout. Chronicle Nga finished in third position whilst FC Stars finished fourth.
Mr Peter Leondlos and Mr Charles Chunda
Titans were not the only positive news from the tournament as they had three female referees taking charge of matches. The tournament was the first one in two years after a break due to Covid-19
Bafa chairperson Charles Chunda said the tournament has now grown as it also includes area zone teams that are affiliated to Zifa Bulawayo.
“We are no longer having that sense of amateur, we have joined area zonal football in Zifa, with the stage we have taken with these guys, it’s a bit different now,” said Chunda.
Sponsor, Peter Leondios said the tournament gives him great pleasure as it is not a competition just to call it that but because it is close to their hearts.
“It wasn’t just a tournament just to call it a tournament, it was in our heart and there is nobody that will ever carry on for so many years a tournament, through Covid-19 and all we stood by our guys, we kept them together and thank God, Covid-19 is nearly over,” said Leondios. The tournament marked its 65th anniversary this year.
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