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Madinda “Khathazile” Ndlovu

Fungai Muderere, Senior Sports Reporter
LEGENDARY former Warriors and Highlanders speedy winger Madinda Ndlovu has challenged the business community of Filabusi to consider sponsoring women’s football in the Godlwayo community.

Ndlovu said this at the annual Godlwayo South Soccer League (GSSL) awards held at Avoca Cultural Centre on Wednesday where he was the guest of honour.

“While we would want to applaud Zibusiso Manjankwe Ncube, Bhekimpilo Maranda Sithole and Kossam Mavuna Ndlovu, who are popularly known as Tripple M for sponsoring the GSSL made up of 13 men’s teams, I would like to challenge other businesspeople from the local community to take responsibility by sponsoring and supporting women’s soccer,” said Ndlovu.

“Times have changed and women are now so much into football. The girl child needs equal opportunities. We must all appreciate that the current sponsors of GSSL have put up their hard earned cash to help develop and nurture talent in the Godlwayo community. In that regard, all the teams should remain committed and the players should remain focused and disciplined.

“I say no to things like Asiagate (match fixing). As the Ndlovu brothers (Madinda, Peter and the late Adam), we managed to play for Highlanders, the national team and we had playing stints abroad. It was all through discipline. We also had no crime records and the youngsters here should emulate that. I must also mention that I was amazed to hear of such a small league that has a board of directors,” Ndlovu said.

The GSSL was established three years ago.

The awards were also graced by Chief Maduna of Filabusi and MP for Insiza South Malachi Nkomo. They were dominated by 2017 GSSL champions Mbembesi, who went home with a prize money of $450 plus a trophy. The Mbembesi FC star duo of Christopher Siziba and Nkosilathi Tshili were the league’s player of the season and top goal scorer respectively. Tshili scored 23 goals.

Mbembesi head coach Jackson Ngwenya was voted coach of the year, while Avoca FC’s Brian Gandiyaro was named goalkeeper of the season.

The young player of the season award went to Elijah Sibanda (18) of Hlatshwayo FC and Sidzibe FC were named the best new comer of the season.

Sithole, who spoke on behalf the sponsors, said: “With my two colleagues (Zibusiso Manjankwe Ncube and Kossam Mavuna Ndlovu), who are based in South Africa, we are still committed to helping the Godlwayo community. We are looking forward to entering into partnerships with other businesspeople and continue sponsoring the GSSL. The three of us have set a precedence and we are saying to others come let’s develop football in our home community.

All the daughters and sons who hail from Filabusi should consider supporting this project.”

Godlwayo Community Development Trust (GCDT) chipped in with $300. A GCDT official Nkululeko Tshuma said they had already sourced football equipment from Australia for all teams that make up GSSL.

“We would like to also extend our helping hand. We want to help in the development and growth of soccer in Filabusi. We hope the $300 that we chipped in with will help the clubs. We have already sourced equipment that include boots, nets and kits from Australia for all the teams and we are in the process of shipping it to the country,” said Tshuma. – @FungaiMuderere