Emmanuel Chitsika
Villagers in Mwenezi were treated to a nice Sunday (September 4) when six soccer teams took to the field in a tournament that saw Chivi South Sunday Soccer League eventual champions Lundi-based Zizhou FC landing the top prize.
The games played at Hlezana Secondary School in Mwenezi initially had to feature eight teams with two visitors from Rutenga though they failed to turn up for the fixtures and the remaining six were grouped into two groups where first and second placed made it to the semi-finals.
Zizhou FC proved that their 8-0 final day win that led to them leapfrogging title favourites and neighbours Atletico Mususu and Predators to pole position was no fluke as they defied the odds before dispatching Atletico Mususu in the finals.
Despite labouring to a penalty shootout win in the semi-finals over neighbours Lundi Tigers FC, Zizhou took advantage of fatigue that took toll on Mususu whom they dispatched 2-0 to emerge eventual winners.
Hosting team Young Hlezi sent waves of fear among the tournaments in their first outing when they dispatched pre-tournament favourites Predators FC 2-0 in the first game before being held to a draw by Lundi Tigers.
Young Sam Musinga and heavily-built Jacob Chigwa (the league’s top goal scorer for previous season) were on the score sheet.
Elsewhere Shongamiti FC who their group opponents Zizhou and Atletico Mususu treated them with respect because they had a star-studded squad but surprisingly they fell 1-0 to Zizhou after the referee in charge was deceived by the latter’s striker who despite being in off-side position tapped into an empty net at the near post.
Shongamiti FC players protested but the referee allowed the goal to stand before they went on to come twice from behind to maintain their unbeaten run against Atletico Mususu in a tense affair.
Both semi-finals pitting Young Hlez versus Atletico Mususu and Zizhou FC versus Lundi Tigers had to be decided by the dreaded shootout as teams could not be separated after full matches.
Then came the moment Zizhou FC’s endurance paid-off as their opponents were struggling to cope up with the tiring whole day and midway during the second half, they found the opener much to the protest of Atletico Mususu who argued that during the build-up one of their defenders was fouled but the referee stood his ground and allowed the goal to stand after around seven minutes of protest.
Before they could re-group, Mususu fell again to the goal that put the result beyond their reach and dampened their fighting spirit and subsequent chances of salvaging a draw.
League secretary Jacob Chigwa said the tournament which they referred to as ‘Champions league’ went on well and it was a curtain raiser to the new season set to kick-off this coming weekend.
“It was a colourful event despite the searing heat of the Lowveld. The crowds were entertained by Chiredzi-based radio station Avuxeni and the turnout was fairly good.
“In terms of organization, all was well ad credit goes to the league committee and other supporting partners like Mrs Musinga (local business person),” said Chigwa.
