Last Sunday was a memorable day for Malale D Boys Football Club. The team became the new champions of the Bilisi Sports Festival at the Tshenzhelani Grounds. They beat Tshenzhelani Diitele 5-4 in the final to lift the trophy. The winner was determined via penalty shootout after a goalless draw at the end of regulation time.

Malale D Boys were presented with R5,000 during a ceremony held at the grounds shortly after the final game. Malale managed to score a total of 10 goals in the three games they played. Their quarterfinal game was against Maramanzhi Mountain Sweepers, whom they beat 2-0 on Saturday. They went on to beat Madavhila Krugerport 3-1 in their semi-final game on Sunday morning.

The runners-up, Tshenzhelani Diitele, were given R3,000 during the ceremony. Diitele’s path to the final included a 2-1 victory over Gumbu Peace Makers in their opening game on Saturday. Their semi-final game was against Lwathudwa Back Movers, whom they beat 9-8. The winner was determined through a penalty shootout after a 4-4 draw at the end of 90 minutes.

Teams that were eliminated in the semi-final round, Madavhila Krugerport and Lwathudwa Black Movers, were each given R1,750. The Piet Siwada Award (Player of the Tournament) was presented to Thembuluwo Munyai of Tshenzhelani Diitele. The recipient of the Ace Ramaliba Award (Top Goal Scorer) was Gudani Khubayi of Malale D Boys.

The MEC for the Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism in Limpopo, Mr Tshitereke Matibe, was among the dignitaries who attended the ceremony. Eight teams from the Niani area took part in this year’s edition of the tournament.