THE name of Stinging Bees FC was engraved on the Aspen NEBFA Tournament trophy, after they defeated the tough Roaring Tigers FC 1–0 during the finals at Wolfson Stadium in Kwazakhele on December 19, 2021.
The tempo of the game was very fast from the word go. Both sides were searching for the opening goal but the goalkeepers were equal to the task. The first half ended goalless. The Bees’ goalkeeper, Phumlani Koboka, pulled off some brilliant saves.
Then, in the second half, Bees’ young sure-footed striker, Lilitha Maqungu, banged in the only goal that sealed the game at 1-0 in favour of Bees.
The winners scooped the R20 000 prize money, a trophy and 25 gold medals, while the runners-up went home with R10 000 and 25 silver medals.
In the female final, Rainbow Stars defeated KUBS 1-0, thanks to a goal from Yivenkosi Dondashe in the dying minutes of the game. Stars received R6 000, a floating trophy and 25 gold medals, with KUBS getting R3 000 and 25 silver medals.
The juniors also played the finals. The winners received a R4 000 voucher and 20 gold medals while the runners-up settled for R2 000 vouchers plus 20 silver medals. The match officials also received some gold medals. All the teams that participated in the tournament received a full set of a brand-new soccer kit each.
Aspen NEBFA Tournament organiser, Stan Mosia, expressed his heartfelt thanks to Aspen for developing the sport at grassroots level.
Mosia also thanked Ubuntu Pathways for vaccinating the people during the tournament. Mosia also revealed that the local organising committee, clubs and the match officials played a very important role.
The results of the juniors’ finals are:
U/13 finals: Stinging Bees 1(0)–1(2) PE Sundowns (won on penalty shootout)
U/15 finals: CCX Callies 2(1)–2(3) Friendly City (won on penalty shootout)
U/17 finals: Friendly City 0(3)–0(4) City Defenders (won on penalty shootout)
