INAUGURAL Heart Women Soccer League Tournament winning coach Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda capped a fine week after being named coach of the tournament as well as bouncing back as Mighty Warriors coach.
The former Zimbabwe Senior Women’s team star player never put a foot wrong during the maiden tournament, sponsored by Yadah FC proprietor Walter Magaya’s Heart Group and played at the Heart Stadium.
Chapungu soared high above every opponent, winning the floating trophy, US$10 000 prize money and gold medals, evading arrest as they dispatched police outfit Black Mambas Queens 4-0 in Sunday’s final.
Sibanda received US$1 000 for being coach of the tournament, while top goalscorer and player of the tournament Ethel Chinyerere, from Chapungu, got US$1 000 and US$1 500, respectively, for her exploits.
Mambas took home US$5 000 and silver medals, while Herentals Queens received US$3 000 and bronze medals for finishing third, with Harare City Queens getting US$2 500 for finishing in fourth place.
“It’s a great feeling to win the Cup and I love history. In the books, Chapungu will forever stand as the first team to win the inaugural tournament,” Sibanda told NewsDay Sport.
“We had seen the games and saw how Black Mambas play, who influences their play, and we just had to neutralise their influential players.
“But above all, we knew we were quicker, and we should just rotate the ball and receive it in between the lines as they were late in closing passing spaces, and it worked.”
Sibanda’s first port of call with the Mighty Warriors will be the forthcoming Cosafa Women Championships scheduled for Port Elizabeth, South Africa, next month.
But before that, she will continue to inspire Chapungu towards the Heart Women Soccer League charge.
Chapungu’s mesmerising striker Chinyerere, popularly known as Haaland, deservedly bagged both the top goalscorer and the player of the tournament gong following a largely successful outing.
“First of all, I want to thank the Almighty. Without Him, I couldn’t have won these awards,” Chinyerere said.
“These accolades have motivated me to work harder to achieve more of these awards. It makes me happy to be recognised in such a big way. It means I’m progressing very well as a player.”
Chapungu secretary-general Talent Chitsaka said it was an indescribable feeling to have landed the trophy.
“There is an overwhelming feeling of joy and satisfaction that comes with winning a competition and being recognised for hard work and dedication,” he said. “The feeling is only heightened when receiving a trophy, a physical representation of achievement and success.”
Former Dynamos vice-chairperson Vincent Chawonza was the golden sponsor, taking care of the prize money courtesy of his Open Gold company.
