Motherwell Academy win Easter tourney

MOTHERWELL Academy picked up the winners’ purse of R18 000 in the Mofa Easter tournament at the NU2 Stadium.

In a hard-fought final, Motherwell beat a gallant Valencia 1-0. Valencia received the runners-up prize of R13 000.

Motherwell also scooped three of the five individual awards.

In the semifinals played earlier on Monday, Motherwell beat Crystal Palace 4-3 on penalties after the match ended 1-1.

In the second semifinal Valencia beat Young Madrid 2-1.

Both of the losing semifinalists pocketed R5 000. The losing quarterfinalists received R1 000 each.

Although the organisers failed to secure a sponsor, the tournament carried almost R50 000 in prize money, making it the province’s richest amateur soccer tournament.

“Since the passing of Eric Mbenya, who was our link with the sponsors, it has been an uphill battle [to secure sponsorship],” competitions officer Vuyo Sabele said.

“However, this tournament has a rich history going back over a decade and we did not want to let our supporters down.

“We funded the tournament out of the entry fees and our own coffers.”

Twenty-eight teams from all the local football associations across the metro were divided into eight groups and played a round robin before the knockout stage.

Results: Quarterfinals: Manchester 4 (1) Crystal Palace 3 (1), Showvillage United Brothers 0 Valencia 1, Motherwell Academy 2 Shining Stars (Zwifa) 0, Shining Stars (Mofa) 2 (1) Young Madrid 4 (1) Semifinals: Crystal Palace 3 (1) Motherwell Academy 4 (1), Valencia 2 Young Madrid (1). Finals: Motherwell Academy 1 Valencia 0. Individual Awards: Best player – Vuyolwethu Ndinge; Best goalkeeper – Avela Mahambehlala; Best coach – Sibongile Ngoza (all Motherwell Academy); Best manager – Senzo Nene; Golden boot – Melikhaya Nduna