By: Lungelo Ngcamu

DUT Sports Management students hosted an indoor soccer tournament at Fred Crookes Sports Centre, Steve Biko Campus on Friday.

The aim of the event was to raise funds for the Durban Children’s Home and teach students how to organize events.

The tournament had eight teams that were divided into two groups. Group A was made up of Ingwe United FC, Durban Madrid, Freshers FC and Destroyers FC.

Group B was made up of Cool Runnings, Ekasi Boys, Kudos FC and Tahit.

Tahit and Kudos advanced to the semis from Group B while Ingwe and Destroyers advanced from Group A after the first round of matches.

In the semi-finals, Destroyers thrashed Kudos FC by 3-0 to advance to the finals and Tahit narrowly beat the Ingwe United FC by 1-0 to book their ticket to the final.

The final had a quiet start with both team not willing to throw caution to the wind.  Something had to give midway through the first half; the Destroyers got their first goal via the boot of Syabonga Sikhakhane.  Their joy was short-lived though as three minutes later Tahit pulled it back through Nkulu Mngadi.

Both teams kept pushing for the winning goal but it was the Destroyers who managed to eventually break the shackles and get the goal that saw them crowned champions.  They walked away with the trophy and R1000 prize money. The runners-up on the day got the losers’ trophy and silver medals for their troubles.

There were also individual accolades, with Nhlaka Mthembu of the Destroyers walking away with the Top Goal Scorer Award.  Siyabonga Sikhakhane of Tahit won Player of the Tournament while Goalkeeper of the Tournament went to Ayanda Sibeko of Tahit Destroyers FC captain Mfundo Mkhwanazi said that he was very happy to be lead the victorious squad.

Champions, Destroyers. Pictures by: Lungelo Ncamu

“I’m very happy about the entire tournament, everything was okay. We came here to play our best football and I’m glad we won in the end”, said Mkhwanazi.

“The final was tough but we won the tournament because we have been preparing for weeks, and I have to thank all my teammates who performed well from the beginning till the end.  We promise to do well again next year and defend the Cup,” said Mkhwanazi.

The runners-up captain Patrick Zimu said they are happy with their performance but they were unlucky to lose the final.

“For me the game went very well but we did not convert chances into goals. I think we should have scored more because we created many chances,” said Zimu.

“If we get another chance to play in this tournament we would win it,” said Tahit captain.

The Tournament Organizer, Zesuliwe Mtshali said they are very happy about the level of the tournament and everything went accordingly.

“I’m happy that our tournament went according to the plan- we managed to keep time. Everybody was doing the job that he/she was given and I have no complains. I have to thank all teams that participated in the tournament and congratulate the champions, player of the tournament, top goal scorer and keeper of the tournament.  I would also like to thank all our sponsors for making sure that the tournament was a success,” said Mtshali.