FC Motherwell were crowned Motherwell Football Association (MOFA) Swartkops Kwikspar 2023 Easter Tournament champions. The team beat AmaUnits 3–0 during the finals at Motherwell NU 2 Stadium on Monday.
The road for Amabhayinari, as FC Motherwell are known to fans, started when they defeated the tough Hooky Wits 4–3 on penalties in the quarter-finals, after the 1–1 full-time score at Motherwell NU 1 Stadium on Sunday.
AmaUnits defeated Blue Birds 4–1 on penalties after a goalless match at Motherwell NU 1 Stadium.
Amabhayinari defeated Futures FC 4–3 on penalties after the 2–2 full-time score at Motherwell NU 2 Stadium on Monday, while AmaUnits defeated Motherwell Academy 2–1 at Motherwell NU 2 Stadium.
In the finals, the first half ended in a stalemate, while the second half was action-packed as both sides searched for an opening goal. AmaUnits’ star player, Thandisizwe Tukani, was instrumental in the centre of the park.
In the last 10 minutes of the game, Amabhayinari came strongly to AmaUnits. Amabhayinari’s tall striker, Asakhe Vambe, rose higher than the AmaUnits’ defender, heading the ball into the back of the net.
It seemed AmaUnits’ defence started to panic, with their defender Kimsho Raphaleng scoring a goal to increase their deficit to 2–0. Amabhayinari dangerman, Lathitha Mhlekwa, scored the last goal of the match to increase the score line to 3–0.
Amabhayinari scooped the prize money of R20 000, gold medals and a floating trophy with the compliments of Swartkops Kwikspar, while AmaUnits went home with R10 000 and silver medals. The losing semi-finalists received R4 000 each, while the losing quarter-finalists got R1 000 each.
The women’s defending champions, BIMSA, overcame Wells United 3–0 in the finals. MOFA deputy president, Bonke Namba, thanked Swartkops Kwikspar owner, Abri Swart, for his support during the MOFA Swartkops Kwikspar 2023 Easter Tournament. Namba also thanked Bulie Ngcwabe, Coca-Cola SABCO, Water Life Still, Nelson Mandela Bay Sport MMC, Bassie Kamana, and Sabelo Nkuhlu for helping in lifting the standard of the MOFA 2023 Easter Tournament.
