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Fox player Nqobile Moyo tackles Bulawayo Artists’ Shylock Ndlovu while his partner Ralph Malingwa keeps a close eye in a match played in Gwabalanda yesterday

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
FLYING Stars won the Impact Mining Suppliers sponsored Bulawayo five-a-side Heroes Cup after beating Nust 5-3 in the final played at Football For Hope Centre in Gwabalanda, Bulawayo.

Six teams – Flying Stars, Nust, Cash Money, Bulawayo Artists, Fox and Amabhubesi – took part in the two-day tournament which started on Sunday and ended yesterday.

On their way to the final, Nust emerged Group A winners after beating Flying Stars 5-2 in the opening pool game and Cash Money 2-1 to progress to the semi-finals.

Flying Stars booked a semi-final slot as Group A runners-up to Nust after dispatching Cash Money 4-2.

Nust went on to beat Group B runners-up Bulawayo Artists 5-4 after penalty shootouts in the semi-finals with their game having ended 2-2 while Flying Stars proved hot to handle for Group B winners Fox who they clobbered 9-2.

Flying Stars corrected the mistakes that they made during the group stages as they beat Nust 5-3 in the final to take home the $100 prize money.

Nust went away with $70 while the Bulawayo Artists got $50 for winning the third place play-off after beating Fox 8-6.

Philani Banda, the five-a-side chairman thanked Impact Mining Suppliers and said his association will continue to look for partners that can aid the sport to grow.

“We’re grateful to Impact Mining Suppliers who made it possible for us to stage such a competitive tournament during the Heroes Day holiday. It is our hope that this sponsorship will inspire other companies that might see value in partnering us and developing the sport in Bulawayo and beyond,” said Banda.

@ZililoR