Mmboni Junior Chiefs are the champions of the Zama Zama Soccer Challenge.

They beat Gwambe Hungry Lions in the final at the Homu 14B grounds in Giyani last Wednesday.

The goal that Mmboni Junior Chiefs conceded in the third minute of the final was an insult to the team, but they came back strongly and walloped Gwambe Hungry Lions 5-1.

There were shouts of “ladies first” from the supporters of Chiefs shortly after Hungry Lions scored their solitary goal through Respect Mathonsi. Mathonsi caught the Chiefs’ keeper, Rito Mathebula, napping and blasted in a rocket from inside the box.

That was a wake-up call to the Chiefs players. It took Junior Chiefs ten minutes to equalise. Akani Nkuna found the net from a free kick. Hungry Lions lost cohesion at the back after the Chiefs’ opening goal. That gave Chiefs the opportunity to increase the margin in the 27th minute. Jamela Mohlela tried his luck from outside the box with a ground cutter. The keeper of Hungry Lions, Gift Chauke, watched helplessly as the ball hit the back of the net. The score remained unchanged until the proceedings for the first half came to an end.

Thulisile Mkhathswa of Hungry Lions was booked for dangerous play three minutes into the last half. Junior Chiefs continued to enjoy possession of the ball as the Lions’ defenders ran for cover. Akani Nkuna completed his brace when he connected Lennox Baloyi’s square pass in the 56th minute. Chiefs introduced Jivy Hlungwani for Jamela Mohlela soon afterwards.

Chiefs’ fourth goal was registered in Brian Hlungwani’s name. He gave the ball the final touch after a heartbreaking scramble within the box. Chiefs replaced their two-goal hero, Akani Nkuna, with Eddy Maluleke in the 78th minute. A substitute, Jivy Hlungwani, made his presence felt when he scored the fifth in the dying minutes of the game.

Junior Chiefs received R15 000, a floating trophy, soccer kit and gold medals during a ceremony held at the grounds shortly after the final. Gwambe Hungry Lions took home a cash prize of R10 000 and silver medals.

The teams that were booted out of the tournament in the semifinals, Dzekula FC and Madungani FC, each received R4 000.

The champions in the masters ladies soccer, Mninginisi Brave Ladies, received R1 000 and a soccer kit during the ceremony. The soccer kit was donated by the captain of the Absa Premiership side, University of Pretoria FC, Tebogo Munyai. Munyai was one of the guests at the ceremony.

The individual awards were presented to Jackie Mathebula (player of tournament in the masters catergory), Eddy Muyambo (top goal scorer in the masters category), Steven Mahumani (best ladies coach), Television Mdaka (top goal scorer), Enock Baloyi of Junior Chiefs (player of the tournament), Kenny Shirindza (best referee) and the best goalkeeper, Gift Chauke of Gwambe Hungry Lions. According to the founder and sponsor of the tournament, Mr Victor Hlungwani, the tournament will become an annual event, with the sponsorship increasing each year.

The teams which took part in this year’s tournament are: Thomo Dynamos, Bode Arrow Mountain, Mhlahlandela United, Dzekula Mighty Stars, Juluka Benfica, Olifantshoek Super Eagles, Madungani FC, Barcelona, Khumbula Masters, Thomo All Stars, Church Super Eagles, Dzingidzingi United, Giant Reefs United, IBC All Stars, Limpopo Poison, Manombe Flying Boys, Mboni Junior Chiefs, Manchester United, John Mabasa, Homu Fighters, Hatsama Peace Makers, Gawula Movers, Giyani Real Madrid, BGNM FC, Mapayeni Gladiators, KYD FC, Ntsemi FC, Moonlight Brothers, Gwambe Hungry Lions, Big Lions, Mabalane Real Mighty Boys and Khakhala United.