Centre News Sports Hub.
Mucheke stadium- Masvingo Social League (MSL) Champions, Depotivo FC successfully hosted highly fancied, Harare social soccer side Gallis FC which features prominent Zimdancehall music icon, Freeman HKD, as thousands of soccer lovers thronged Mucheke stadium to watch a series of games that lightened up the weekend.
The main match played at 3 pm was preceded by a friendly match between Masvingo United FC and MSL select then followed by a Bernard Bento Makunikeni memorial match pitting MSL elders and Chivara FC which the late Bento coached.
Another friendly match between Deportivo FC Elders and Cooperates FC was played leading to the final match which saw Gallis FC emerging the winners in a penalty shootout after the match had ended in a stalemate.
The match was held as a ceremonial game to celebrate Depotivo’s third consecutive MSL championship title and the winners walked away with a whooping US6000.00.
Deportivo FC Benefactor and player, Allen Sibanda said they decided to honour their success in the social league by inviting the Harare side that features the prominent musician Freeman HKD whose real name is Emegy Slyvester Chizanga and former Dynamos FC football legends like Timire Mamvura to provide local fans with exciting flashes of football brilliance.
“The idea was to celebrate our success and owner football fans as well as giving our local young talents an opportunity to rub shoulders with celebrities and former soccer greats as a way to develop them,” said Sibanda.
Deportivo fielded a strong side that included former Warriors Captain, Ovidy Karuru who mesmerized the Hararians in the midfield partnering well with former Masvingo United lanky linkman, Pedzisai Pitcola Kanyemba, while Sibanda dazzled defenders upfront.
Saibanda pledged more soccer galores of the same nature saying the ideas was to provide local youngsters exposure by inviting teams from other cities and also pointed out that they will also be visiting these teams for matches in their cities.
After the match soccer fans swarmed the music chanter Freeman jostling for a chance to take a selfie with him while others wanted a hand shake.
“Besides watching exciting soccer from the teams that played we had an opportunity to physically meet Freeman, I was thrilled to have a selfie with him and this made up my day,” said Mollyn Chauke a local soccer fan.
Masvingo United under 17 Coach, Billiat Muchenje hailed the soccer galore saying it was a platform for the young players to showcase their talent.
“This was a great tournament to us we had the opportunity to scout talent for development as you know our mandate is to groom youngsters and develop them for our senior team, so we were actually pleased,” said Muchenje.
Women proportional representation councilor, Alaica Time who attended the games was excited and hailed the organizers for assisting the city fathers and mothers with sports development.
“I really enjoyed watching youngsters and former players playing wonderful soccer and this is something we must applaud as a city. Such kind of sports activities keeps youth away from drug and substance abuse and develop their tournament, we appreciated and support such initiatives, “ said Time.
