Maria Chiguvari
The Zimbabwe National Table Soccer Association (ZNTSA) is gaining momentum following its inaugural tournament held last Saturday in Harare.
The association held its first Independence Championship.
Mabvuku-based longtime player Noel Justin emerged as the winner during the tournament that drew the country’s best players.
Known as foosball, or simply slug, table soccer is slowly regaining its popularity and the players are pushing it to be professional.
The tournament was sponsored by Better Brands which is owned by businessman Scott Sakupwanya.
The tournament featured the country’s top 10 ranked players including highly rated Douglas “Macheso” Matambanashe.
Matambanashe was knocked out of the competition in the semifinal by Justin, in a tense match at Pamarabha in Harare’s Central District.
Justin then met Mbare Kudzanai Mutizwa in a largely one-sided final.
The dreadlocked Justin revealed that he never expected to progress far in the tournament.
“People think foosball or slug is just a game of smacking the ball around, but if you study the game, it isn’t.
“I am very overjoyed with this win,” said Justin.
Foosball is a tabletop game that sees players in pubs and recreation rooms across the country roll up their sleeves and have a spin.
“In recent years, the pool has overtaken slug but we believe with the kind of support we are now getting.
“The game will be popular once again,” said Justin.
His opponent in the final, Mutizwa, was also ecstatic, after reaching his first final.
“I was prepared to die during the match.
“This is my only ticket to a good meal and a better life and nothing was going to stop me,” he said.
The President of the Zimbabwe Table Soccer Association, Coxwell Chigwanha thanked the participants who graced the tournament.
He also lauded Better Brands, the official sponsors of the tournament.
“It was quite a good and tense competition, all the players were competitive and I am happy with the turnout.
“We had players from across the country, they made this possible.
“Many thanks to our main sponsor who made it possible as the team will be able to travel and represent Zimbabwe in other countries,” said Chigwanha
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