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Former Zimbabwe International Benjani Mwaruwari hands over the trophy to 2014 winners of the Benjani Mwaruwari Soccer Festival Mpumelelo at White City Stadium yesterday

Mzingaye Sibanda Sports Reporter
MPOPOMA side Mpumelelo were crowned champions of the third edition of the Benjani Mwaruwari Junior Soccer Festival after beating LMC Academy 2-0 in the final played at White City Stadium yesterday. Bantu Rovers and Highlanders are the previous winners of the last two editions.Teams that made it to the last eight of this year’s event are Ajax Hotspurs, Chicken Inn, Santos, Mpumelelo, LMC Academy, Masiyephambili College, Magwegwe High School and Bantu Rovers.

A Future Gumbo brace was enough to secure victory for the Mpopoma-side who were crowned champions.
On their way to lifting the trophy, Mpumelelo thrashed Santos 3-0 in the semi-finals yesterday while LMC Academy disappointed title favourites Bantu Rovers who they beat 6-5 on penalties after the match had ended in a goalless draw in regulation time.

All the eight teams that made it to the quarter-finals will get five soccer balls each.
On individual prizes, Mpumelelo’s midfielder Rangarisai “Small Poison” Dhewa won the Player of The Tournament accolade with his teammate Stephen Chikanda walking away with top goal scorer award after banging in four goals while Bantu Rovers’ goalkeeper Reward Muza was crowned Goalkeeper of the Tournament.

Legendary Bafana Bafana striker Sibusiso “Rhee” Zuma, national team coach Ian “Dibango” Gorowa and ex-Zimbabwe international Harlington Shereni were among soccer greats that graced the event.

Zuma praised Mwaruwari for promoting the future stars and promised to support the noble idea.
“It’s very important to us as players to remember where we came from and giving back to the youngsters. It’s something close to every player’s heart. I told Mwaruwari that I was coming with him to support his tournament and will continue to support him as he is planning to start an academy,” he said.

Gorowa said it was important that as a nation they support such tournaments which build upcoming footballers’ confidence and also lay a base for the future.

“Obviously I would like to applaud what Mwaruwari is doing and now is the chance to start identifying talent. I know that being here and these youngsters seeing a national team coach watching gives them motivation to play and a sense of belonging,” said Gorowa.

Mwaruwari promised to continue supporting junior football.
“I’m happy to see youngsters enjoying football and this means that we are on the right path as far as soccer development is concerned. Someone gave me an opportunity to shine and I am also lending a hand. I am grateful to everyone who supported me as a player and on this project. My main aim is to start an academy which I hope will be up and running in a few years to come,” he said.

Some of the dignitaries that graced the event included Ndumiso Gumede, Musa Mandaza, Washington Sithole and Enerst “Maphepha” Sibanda.

Results
Saturday: Quarter-finals
Bantu Rovers 3-0 Magwegwe; Santos 0-0 Chicken Inn (Santos won 3-0 on penalties); LMC Academy 2-1 Mvuthu; Mpumelelo 1-0 Ajax Hotspurs.

Yesterday: Semi-finals
Mpumelelo 3-0 Santos; LMC Academy 0-0 Bantu Rovers (LMC Academy won 6-5 on penalties)

Final:
Mpumelelo 2-0 LMC Academy