Introducing the teams:
Pingi's GDM
Paulino's Murroco Chibanga's Academicas
In the final round of group fixtures, GDM really stamped their authority on the competition with a 3-0 thrashing of Giantkillers. With Murroco and Academicas playing out a 0-0 draw that didn't reflect the chances in the match itself, we would see a repeat of the 3rd round of fixtures for the 3rd place playoff and the final.
From the coaches and referees, kitted out in the various Arsenal shirts that I had brought over with me, to the ball boys who were competing with eachother for who could throw the next ball on first, and of course the hundreds crowding around the pitch, in the trees and usually anywhere they could find some shade to watch the action.
Pingi's GDM
Paulino's Murroco Chibanga's Academicas
Alex & Abu's Giantkillers
The format is simple. 4 teams, 1 group, everyone plays eachother. The bottom two teams go into a 3rd vs 4th playoff, and the top two would contest a final.
In the second round of fixtures, Giantkillers quietly got on with business with another 1-0 win, this time over Academica, whilst GDM came through 1-0 winners against Murroco, star man Nello Jeque pulling all the strings.
The format is simple. 4 teams, 1 group, everyone plays eachother. The bottom two teams go into a 3rd vs 4th playoff, and the top two would contest a final.
Giantkillers set the early pace with a 1-0 win over Murroco, whilst GDM, the favourites were held to a goalless draw by Academica.
In the second round of fixtures, Giantkillers quietly got on with business with another 1-0 win, this time over Academica, whilst GDM came through 1-0 winners against Murroco, star man Nello Jeque pulling all the strings.
The tournament of course would not have been the success that it was if it wasn't for the many helpers we had, and the willingness of anyone and everyone to help out was typical of what we have seen so far in Mozambique.
From the coaches and referees, kitted out in the various Arsenal shirts that I had brought over with me, to the ball boys who were competing with eachother for who could throw the next ball on first, and of course the hundreds crowding around the pitch, in the trees and usually anywhere they could find some shade to watch the action.
The 3rd vs 4th playoff was a cracker of a game. Having taken a 2-1 lead going into half time, Academicas were undone by two absolute screamers from eventual 'Melhor Jogador de Campeonato' or player of the tournament, Nando, of Paulino's Murroco, who won 3-2.
The final though was a much tighter affair... GDM were the clear bookies favourites after beating their fellow finalists 3-0 in the final group game, but after a battling 0-0 draw, with superb performances from both goalkeepers, Giantkillers lived up to their name winning 5-3 on penalties.
The winning team were presented with Arsenal player cards and Nando with his Player of the Tournament medal, and the celebrations erupted...not only from the winning team! Players from each team came to the centre of the crowd to show off their dancing skills as the ceremonies lasted a good half an hour after the matches finished...ceremonies that could easily have lasted the rest of the day!!!
2 comments:
wonderful wonderful work you are doing there... hats off, keep up the great work..
Drew,
I spent 3 years living and working in Mozambique, you are one lucky fella. The people are so warm and have such a great sense of fun you must be experiencing that for yourself.
Any questions you have, please just post 'em, cos I will be following your blog everyday. The Manica is good, but try the 2M from Maputo !!
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