Begwa United Brothers are the MTG champions

Begwa United Brothers were crowned the champions of the MTG Soccer Challenge at the Makwarela Stadium on Monday. They beat Vondwe United Brothers 2-1 in the final.

As if they were going to bury their opponents alive, Begwa approached the game aggressively, with their midfielders distributing dangerous passes to their strikers, Livhuwani Nemusunda and Beron Msimeki.

Vondwe were lucky not to concede an avalanche of goals within the first 15 minutes as their defence was out of touch. Begwa opened their account when the game was 23 minutes old. Khethy Nemudzivhadi scored with a header, following a corner kick by Talifhani Netshivhera. The keeper of Vondwe, Thendo Sidaela, palmed the half-volley back into the net while trying to clear.

Vondwe lost shape in the middle of the park after the opening goal for Begwa. Begwa capitalized and increased the margin soon afterwards. Their vastly experienced striker, Beron Msimeki, went loose from the right corner and ran straight to the keeper before unleashing a ground cutter from the edge of the box. The keeper of Vondwe watched helplessly as the ball hit the back of the net.

Vondwe neutralized their opponents by introducing Innocent Mahada and Norman Ndou for Thabelo Sidaela and Rolivhuwa Musetsho respectively. The complexion of the game was changed completely after the replacements as Vondwe started to knock on the opponents’ door. Their solitary goal came via Mbulaheni Mulaudzi seven minutes before half time.

Mulaudzi was warned with a card for a late tackle on Beron Msimeki shortly after scoring the goal. Begwa played defensive football for the better part of the last half. Their captain, Thiathu Mudzanani, was also booked for a dangerous tackle late in the game.

Begwa received R15 000, a floating trophy, gold medals and a complete soccer kit during a ceremony held at the stadium after the final, and Vondwe received R5 000, silver medals and a soccer kit. The third-placed Cobra Stars went home with a cheque of R3 000. A cash prize of R2 000 went to Mutale Vikings, who obtained the fourth position.

The keeper of Begwa United Brothers, Emmanuel Nemutanzhela, was nominated the best keeper and he received a trophy. Another trophy was presented to the best player in the tournament, Beron Msimeki of Begwa.

The teams booted out of the competition in the quarterfinal stage, Banyini Flying Swallows, Arsenal, Shadani Dangerous Scorpions and Themba Heroes, were each given a consolation prize of R1 000.

Vondwe United Brothers beat Cobra Stars 2-0 at the Khubvi Benjies grounds to book a place in the final while Begwa’s road to the final went via Mutale Vikings, whom they beat 2-0 at the same venue two weeks ago. The defending champions, Phaphazela Real Hexagon, were booted out of the competition in the last-32 stage.

One hundred and thirty-two teams took part in this year’s competition. During the ceremony, the general manager of MTG Funeral Services, Mr Shudufhadza Magwabeni, mentioned that they were impressed by the manner in which the competition was run, saying they would continue to sponsor the league in the coming years.

Date:20 June 2014

By: Frank Mavhungu

Frank is a Human Resources Manager at the Department of Public Works in Limpopo. He is the longest serving correspondent of the Mirror, having joined us at the end of 1990.  He mainly writes sports reports and resides at Tsianda Village. In 2004, Frank won the National Castle League Award, an award for the best reporter in the SAB league in South Africa.

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