MOSES MAWERE CHRISTMAS
The K130,000 rich Moses Mawere Christmas tournament in Chipata came to an end on 27th December at David Kaunda stadium. It was the first time that ladies in the province participated in any football tournament in the province and walked away with the same prize as men.
In the men, senior category tournament favorite Zesco Chipata FC lived up to the expectations of everyone as they emerged champions. They are a side that has assembled a good squad after combining with Golden Celtic FC another provincial division one team to merge as one which boasts of a strong strike force in the province in their quest to play National League.
They are a free-scoring side who scored 7 goals from 4 games and conceded 3 times. They managed to beat three other favorites who were Chipata city council FC, Panza FC both of whom have played in the Zambia second-tier league formerly division one south, and the finals, they went toe-toe with prison leopards Chipata who were also favorites in their own right.
In the under 15 category, tournament favorite’s smiling kids FC failed to impress as they were nowhere near the final place. Newly formed but enterprising Lujeka stars grabbed the bragging rights in the junior category after beating Red lions 3-1 on post match penalties.
In the women category, Panza Queens who fall in the same rank as Panza FC both sponsored by the army from Gondar Barracks tried to redeem their male counterparts who were eliminated in the quarter-finals by reaching the finals but fell short to Mchenga Girls 3-1 on post match penalties. Women footballers during the tournament appealed to women super league teams to come to the province to tap talent. The women mostly who are 17 years and less said the province has not been considered when it comes to women selection in the national team at any level.
Some women footballers mentioned notable names like Barbra Banda who is plying her trade in the Chinese super league, saying they have been seeing other women make a living from football and they want to replicate the same. They went ahead and said that they can be able to showcase their talent when they are lured to top super league clubs and considered for national team selection.
They also appealed for academic sponsorship if top clubs don’t call on them as they lack sponsorship to finish their studies. The two women teams which reached the finals comprised of players mostly from the outskirts and Shanty compounds of Chipata.
All the categories received a fair and equal share of prizes from 1st to 4th position as follows
1st Position
2nd Position
3rd Position
4th Position
SEMI-FINAL (MEN’S SENIOR)
Prison Leopards Chipata FC 3 Vs 1 Eastern Eagles FC
Zesco Chipata FC 3 Vs 1 Police Bullets FC
FINALS
MENS
Zesco Chipata FC 2 Vs 1 Prison Leopards
UNDER 15 BOYS
Lujeka Stars 0 Vs 0 Red lions
Penalties; Lujeka Stars 3-1 Red Lions
WOMEN
Panza Queens 0 Vs 0 Mchenga Girls
Penalties; Panza Queens 1-3 Mchenga girls
Mchenga girls were crowned champions
CHADIZA CHRISTMAS TOURNAMENT
In chadiza, the festive tournament which started on 14th December 2020 came to an end on 25th December 2020. The tournament had 16 participants from amateur, FAZ division one and two with favorites being Chadiza Police Rangers and Chadiza united who both ply in provincial division. Chadiza Police Rangers were eliminated in the group stage while Chadiza united lost in the semi-finals to salati Salati FC on post match penalties.
Full results below
CHADIZA CHRISTMAS TOURNAMENT
QUARTER-FINALS
Chadiza United 7 Vs 0 Mbingwa
Mlolo 3 Vs 1 Robbie
Salati 2 Vs 1 Chanjowe
Chanida 2 Vs 0 kozele
SEMI-FINALS
Chadiza United 1 Vs 1 Salati (2:3 penalties) Salati won
Mlolo 3 Vs 0 Chanida
FINAL
Mlolo 1 Vs 0 Salati
3rd /4th PLAYOFFS
Chadiza United 3 Vs 0 Chanida
PRIZES
1ST Position : Mlolo FC K5,000
2nd Position: Salati FC K3,500
3rd Position: Chadiza United K2,500
4th Position: Chanida FC K1,500
PETER KAFUNKHA CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR TOURNAMENT
Mkaika member of parliament Peter Kafunkha took time to appreciate and celebrate the festive season with the people of Katete by sponsoring a football tournament that attracted 13 teams from all divisions. The favorites were two provincial division one teams, Katete Rangers and Katete united who even reached the finals. The two who use the same ground, have been heated local rivals for so long and play in the famous Chewa derby. The final which was played on 1st January 2021 saw two teams play to an impressive one all draw with Katete Rangers coming out triumphant 5-4 on post-match penalties. Imena FC finished third after beating Noble Blue Eagles.
The more than k20,000 worth tournament saw all quarter-finalists receive one football net and ball each with the top four finishers going away with cash according to positions on top of other prizes.
SEMI-FINALS
Katete United 2 Vs 1 Noble Blue Eagles
Katete Rangers 1 Vs 0 Imena
FINALS
Katete United 1 Vs 1 Katete Rangers ( 4-5 penalties, Katete Rangers won)
PRIZES
1st Position; Katete Rangers K2,000
2nd Position; Katete United K1,500
3rd Position; Imena FC k1,200
4th Position; Noble Blue Eagles FC k1,000
