MOTHERWELL-BASED Mpumalanga Primary School made history when they became the first school to lift the Zonke Build It U/13 Soccer Festival trophy following their 1-0 win over Motherwell United FC at Tomorrow Stars Fields in Motherwell NU 9 on Saturday.
The tournament was played by eight Motherwell primary schools and eight Motherwell Football Association (MOFA) teams in a straight knockout format.
In the first semi-final, Motherwell United eliminated Real Strikers 2-0 while Mpumalanga Primary School booked themselves a place in their finals after they defeated Liverpool FC 1-0 in the other semi-final.
Mpumalanga Primary School registered an early winning goal courtesy of Somila Magwashu in the first half. The local school, which was supported by many fans, played exciting football but United were not easy opponents.
The Motherwell NU 9 school walked away with a trophy, 16 miniature trophies, a new set of kit, 16 water bottles and kit bag, as well as 16 players’ kitbags. United received 16 bags and 16 miniature trophies.
Motherwell United’s star player, Sivuziwe Lonzi, received a trophy and a voucher as he was voted the player of the tournament.
Mpumalanga striker, Somila Magwashu, and United striker, Alakhe Mtongana, were voted as top goal scorers while Mpumalanga goalkeeper, Sanele Mginda, won a trophy and voucher as the goalkeeper of the tournament.
Zonke Build It manager, Nancy Hlekani, thanked the schools, MOFA teams, MOFA organising committee, Daku and Zonke Build It Stores, match officials, Motherwell Schools chairperson MacDonald Mabongo, Motherwell SAPS and ambulance services for making the event a success.
Hlekani said, “I want to congratulate Mpumalanga Primary for their achievement and would like to motivate the runners-up. Sport is a career but education is the key to success.
“Everything went according to plan and I am very happy.”
MOFA president, Thobela Dekeda and Mabongo also thanked Zonke Build It for supporting the sport at grassroots level.
