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Innocent Kurira – [email protected]

MTSHABEZI High School won this year’s edition of the annual Dumisani Ndlovu Foundation football tournament after edging Gifford High School 1-0 at White City Stadium at the weekend.

It was seventh edition of the tournament which Mtshabezi High boys proudly claimed its first prize.

The initial stages of the tournament were played during the first term of the academic calendar.

Entumbane High School beat Milton High on penalties 3-2 in the boys third place playoff. The match, had ended 1-1 in regulation time.

In the girls’ category, Entumbane got the bragging rights after they won 3-2 on penalties against Mtshabezi. The two teams had not been separated after normal time.

After the finals, there was a game pitting the Dumisani Select and Masvingo Christian Academy who were invited to the tournament.

With the two teams playing a 1-1 draw in regulation time, the teams needed to be separated by a penalty lottery which saw Masvingo Academy prevail 5-4.

United Kingdom (UK) based Dumisani Ndlovu, who is the sponsor of the tournament said: ““My goal and identity is simple. It is giving back to the community. This all emanates from the principle of Ubuntu which details that “I am because we are” also “I am because you are”). This tournament is meant to take the youngsters off other vices like social media addiction and drug abuse. I am impressed with the talent that was on display in this tournament,” said Ndlovu.

Ndlovu learnt at Mtshabezi and Gifford before going to teach at Entumbane.

Each year, Ndlovu supplies each school with a new kit and also brings another set of kits for the finals.

He also provides match balls and playing boots to the teams. -@innocent