Justice Katika finals on today
Organisers of the K2 million Justice Katika football and netball tournament have said all is set for the finals slated for this afternoon at Desert Ground in Bangwe Township.
Tournament coordinator Frank Maideni said the sponsor has confirmed the date of the finals and that apart from him, they are planning to invite Football Association of Malawi (FAM) technical director John Kaputa, competitions officer Gomezgani Zakazaka and a Flames legend to grace the occasion.
“Three names of Flames legends have been suggested and hopefully by tomorrow we should confirm who will grace the occasion as one way of motivating up-and-coming players,” said Maideni.
He said it is such tournaments that helped groom players such as Flames’ South Africa-based defender Limbikani Mzava.
In football, Ntopwa United will face Mthandizi All-Stars whereas in netball, Ntopwa Super Girls will face Ntopwa One Sisters.
To qualify for the final, Ntopwa United edged Ntopwa One 1-0, while Mthandizi All Stars beat Green Lalanje 2-0. In netball, Ntopwa Super Girls beat Dalilani Sisters 24-6 while Ntopwa One Sisters thumped Mafikizolo 33-7.
The champions in football and netball will get K200 000 and K100 000 plus trophies. The runners-up in football will get K150 000 and in netball K70 000 respectively.
Third-placed teams in football and netball will receive K100 000 and K50 000 respectively.
Forty-two teams entered the tournament which started at group stages and the current leading scorer in football is Geoffrey Palanda with 18 goals.
The tournament’s sponsor, who is also aspiring parliamentarian for the area, said he was happy with the way the tournament has been managed.
“It was very exciting and it has helped to develop raw talent in Bangwe,” said Katika.
