The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa Sports Correspondent
THE usually sleepy Mutema area was turned into hive of activity last weekend as hundreds of soccer lovers braved the rain to witness the sixth edition of Marwa tournament where a total of 24 soccer teams battled for supremacy.
Namibia-based land surveyor Gibson Gibhalo Marwa bankrolled the two-day tournament saw teams drawn from other districts such as Buhera and Chimanimani also taking part in the tournament.
Dynamos FC coach Lloyd Mutasa graced the occasion as the guest of honour. A total of $40 000 was injected towards the success of the event. The tournament saw all 24 teams getting $300 without kicking the ball for logistics and a soccer kit for every team which included quality jersey, soccer boots, two balls and T-shirts for the executives.
Division 1 side ZRP’s Support Unit and Division 2’s Birchenough Bridge Timers and Checheche United were among the 24 teams competing in the tournament. During the tourney, the teams were put into six groups of four teams where 16 successful teams progressed to the next round.
Hosts Mutema FC were knocked out in round 16 after losing 3-0 to refugees side Tongogara FC. Eventual winners Birchenough Bridge Timers lifted the trophy after beating tea growers Clearwater 1-0 in an explosive encounter while third position went to Tongogara FC who beat Division 2 side Black Eagles 2-0.
For winning the tournament, Birchenough Bridge walked away with $500 cash prize and a floating trophy. Runners-up Clearwater received $400, while Tongogara FC, who emerged third, and Black Eagles who settled for fourth position received $350 and $300 respectively.
There were also a lot individual prizes. The most improved prize went to Black Eagles while Chibuwe Rovers got the most disciplined team award. Guest of honour “Samaita” said he was impressed by the tournament and hailed the talent in rural areas. He managed to scout some of the talent and took them to Dynamos for trials.
“I can say this is the best social gala I have witnessed during my life in the football fraternity. Well done the organisers of this tournament for promoting grassroots football. Through this tournament and as a football coach of one of the biggest teams in this country, we have discovered that there is a lot of talent untapped in rural areas. We will continue visiting tournaments like this and I want to urge Gibson Marwa to continue promoting his community,’’ said Mutasa.
Speaking during the tournament, Marwa urged the youths to take soccer competitions like this one seriously in order to expose their talents.
‘’I would like to congratulate the winners of this sixth edition and all the teams that participated in this tournament. I also want to urge all players to work hard as events like this will take them to another level. Gone are the days when players in towns are the only ones exposed to scouts and we will try to bring more scouts in future editions,’’ he said.
Chibuwe Rovers FC coach Edmore ‘’Mourinho’’ Mabika hailed the sponsors of the event for ploughing back into community.
‘’I want to thank Gibhalo for playing a social responsibility role as his tournament is starting to produce talents who will be competing in top- flight leagues,’’ he said.
