Mulodi Freedom Birds are the champions of the Lumveleni Restaurant Spring Tournament after beating Ngwenani Young Chiefs 5-3 in the final at the Ngudza Grounds last Saturday. Freedom Birds were presented with R15,000, a floating trophy, and gold medals during a ceremony at the grounds shortly after the game.

Freedom Birds’ path to the final was not an easy one. They secured a 7-6 victory over Musasenda Big Five in their quarter-final match, which was played at the same venue two weeks ago. Their semifinal game was against Thohoyandou Manchester Flying Stars, whom they defeated 4-3 on Sunday morning.

The runners-up, Ngwenani Young Chiefs, received R8,000 and silver medals during the ceremony. The winner of the final was determined through a penalty shootout after a goalless draw at the end of regulation time.

Young Chiefs had an equally challenging journey to the final. They first proved their critics wrong by rising to the occasion and beating Madridtas FC 2-1 in their quarter-final match. They then went on to defeat Sambandou United Professionals 6-5 in their semi-final game.

Teams that were eliminated in the semi-final round, Thohoyandou Manchester Flying Stars and Sambandou United Professionals, each received R4,000. Teams that exited the tournament in the quarter-final round - Madridtas FC, Tshakhuma Blue Birds, Univen FC, and Musasenda Big Five - each received a consolation prize of R2,000.

The tournament director, Mr Lloyd Mashapha, expressed his satisfaction with the conduct of both the club officials and players throughout the tournament. He also announced that they will soon stage another tournament at the same venue. According to him, the upcoming tournament will be the biggest in terms of the sponsorship amount and the number of participating teams. Thirty-two teams took part in the tournament, which concluded last Saturday.