Napoli FC managed to retain the Lumveleni trophy when they beat Ngwenani Young Chiefs 1-0 in the final of the Lumveleni Winter Soccer Tournament at the Ngudza Grounds on Sunday. Napoli were presented with R15,000 and a floating trophy during the ceremony held at the Lumveleni Restaurant shortly after the final game.

Napoli’s path to the final went through Rockers FC, whom they had beaten 6-5 in their semi-final game, which was played at the same venue earlier that day. The winner was determined through a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation time. Ngwenani Young Chiefs received R7,000 during the ceremony. Young Chiefs had beaten Mbilwi United Stars 3-1 in their semi-final game.

The third-placed side, Rockers FC, took home R4,000. Rockers had beaten Mbilwi United Stars 3-1 in their losers’ final game, which was played at the same venue before the main game. Teams that were eliminated in the quarter-final round, Maranzhe Hungry Lions, Duthuni Try Again, Berea FC, and Malavuwe Great Movers, were each given a consolation prize of R1,500.

The new tournament, the Lumveleni Off-season Tournament, was launched during the ceremony. The new tournament will be the biggest in terms of sponsorship amount and the number of participating teams. According to the chairman of the organising committee, Mr Lloyd Mashapha, 64 teams from around Vhembe will take part in the tournament.

The champions will receive a whopping R25,000, a floating trophy, gold medals, and a soccer kit. The runners-up will be given R14,000, a soccer kit, and silver medals. Mr Mashapha has appealed to the clubs that wish to be part of the tournament to pay a registration fee of R600. The opening matches are scheduled to be played over the weekend of 13 and 14 July.