Soccer tournament to build relationships at prison

A soccer tournament was held at the Paxton Correctional Services, the aim of which is to build good relationships with inmates.

Organiser of the tournament, Pastor Ray Mabena of Umlilo Wevangeli says the aim was to bridge the gab between inmates and the community of eMalahleni. He added that Umlilo Wevangeli Believers Convention in collaboration with Royal Touch and Events hosted the tournament.

In the first match, eMalahleni Masters played against Paxton correctional Services’s Orlando Pirates and in the first few minutes of the match an Orlando Pirates defender neatly gave Masters a free gift after a back pass went wrong. Pirates were the better team on the filed when they raided Masters goal mouth.

A two-touch by Pirates nearly resulted in a goal but was well defended by Masters defence. While Masters created a lot of opportunities but they could not nail the ball into the net. The team broke for half time at 0-0.

In the second half Pirates were all over Masters, but Masters defended well. Pirates scored a beauty of a goal leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. Masters nearly scored after a free-kick but the ball was defended for a corner-kick. Pirates scored their second goal through a corner-kick after a back pass.

While Masters were knocking the ball around trying to find some openings in the Pirates’ tight defence they failed in their attempts. Pirates put the final nail in the coffin via a header to seal the match at 3-0.

In the second match Security Clusters faced Paxton correctional Services’ Bloemfontein Celtics. Security Clusters made their work easy when Buddy Mnguni scored the first goal at close range.

In the second half, Clusters showed their experience when they scored their second goal to make the score 2-0.

In the final match Pirates played against Clusters and the game ended in 0-0 and Clusters won 4-3 after a penalties shootout.

Pirates players swept all the awards when Saul Mavimbela received an award for being the top goal scorer of the tournament while Sifiso Dlamini was named the goalkeeper of the tournament and Mduduzi Mazibuko was the player of the tournament. Brown Mashiloane also of Pirates was named coach of the tournament.