Ngove Mapantsula FC, one of the new teams, was able to advance to the final stages despite their inexperience. They eventually lost 2-3 to Gawula Academy. During the match, huge numbers of fans congregated around the field cheering for their teams making the game very entertaining. This was the only game of the day that was decided on the pitch because all the other games that were played before it, ended in penalty shootouts. With the top prize set at R60 000, both teams were under extreme pressure to win the game.

However, for some diehard football fans, the game was much more than just the prize; it was also about the pride of being crowned Zama-Zama champions. This is what motivated Ngove Mapantsula to advance to the finals of the tourney. “It was a tough tournament for us, and we lost many players to injury along the way,” explained Xolani Isaac Mathebula after losing the match. “By the time we reached our last game, we had almost nothing left but a few players that we usually keep on the bench, while they had fresh players that still had the energy to go on,” he said.

Also read: Camp turns young rugby players into stars

In the end, the R60 000 first prize went to Gawula Academy, a longtime competitor in the Zama- -Zama tournament, while Ngove Mapantsula went home with R30 000 as runners-up. Apart from prizes, the players each pocketed R200 as a bonus for successfully reaching the finals. Other teams that played before the final match were Malamulele Masters vs N’wamarhanga Masters, a match that was decided on a penalty shootout after both teams failed to find the net during normal playtime.

N’wamarhanga ended up winning the match after beating Malamulele Masters 5-4 on penalties. Speaking after the match, Limpopo CoGHSTA MEC Basikopo Makamu promised the organiser of the Zama-Zama tournament, Victor Hlungwani, that the next tournament, which is normally played on the rough dusty ground at Homu village, will be staged at the sports centre that is currently being completed by the Greater Giyani Municipality at the village.

Also read: Hudson rugby girls taking over

“This tournament is important in this community; hence, we decided that the next tournament should be played at the sports centre. We will ensure that it is completed on time to cater for this tournament,” said Makamu. The sports centre has been on hold for years due to vandalism after it was left incomplete by the Greater Giyani Municipality. However, now that it is being revamped, hopes are high that it will host the Zama-Zama competition.