HERENTALS Queens successfully defended their crown after thrashing Hope Academy 7-0 in the Heart Women Soccer League championship decider at Luveve Stadium in Bulawayo yesterday.
Red-hot forwards Praynance Zwawanda and Maud Mafuruse scored a hat-trick each with Elizabeth Vhunzawabaya getting the last goal after 65 minutes.
It was 5-0 at halftime as Zwawanda completed her hat-trick, leaving Mafuruse to register hers a few seconds after the resumption of the second half.
Herentals captain Talent Mukwanda was ecstatic.
"It's a befitting honour for the girls and a reward for hard work. We always believed in the process culminating in this triumph. We are all excited as an institution," she said.
It was a three-horse race heading into the deciding fixtures yesterday. Herentals led the standings with 78 points, Black Rhinos sat in second on 77 points while Chapungu Queens occupied position three on 76 points. Chapungu were held 2-2 by Platinum Royals at Mandava Stadium while Rhinos beat Highlanders Royals 5-2.
Heart Women Soccer League chairperson Theresa Maguraushe paid homage to the Heart Group president Walter Magaya for the generous and historic sponsorship that shaped their season.
"Herentals Queens have demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication, and teamwork throughout the season, and we are thrilled to see them crowned champions. I would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the teams that participated in the league, as well as our sponsors, The Heart Group, various partners, and stakeholders, for their invaluable support and contributions. The success of the Heart Women Soccer League would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of our teams, officials, and supporters," she said.
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Guest of honour and Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture permanent secretary Nicholas Moyo said the Heart Women Soccer League was a shining example of what it meant to empower women.
"I think this is a culmination to the secret of empowering women. It's a testament of what it takes to empower women. I know it has not been an easy journey, sponsoring a league is not a small thing. If you remove sponsorship, leagues fall by the wayside. If there is sponsorship, we see the quality of the game improving, the quality of competitiveness improves and consumption of the soccer also improves," said Moyo.
The officials led by match commissioner Faith Mloyi, also received medals from the guest of honour.
Racheal Gijima was the centre referee assisted by Phillipa Dube and Sibongumusa Luphahla.
