Penalty Power!

Matero United seal Zingalume title in shootout drama.

By Francis Maingaila

Lusaka, Zambia24 – Monday, 26 May 2025 – The ZECCO Grounds in Zingalume erupted with excitement on Monday as Matero United were crowned champions of the action-packed Zingalume Football Tournament, narrowly defeating Matero Youth Soccer Academy in a nail-biting penalty shootout.

The tournament, proudly sponsored by UPND parliamentary hopeful Nawa Nawa, brought together eight talented teams and hundreds of enthusiastic fans in what many hailed as a festival of football, unity, and community pride.

From dazzling dribbles to last-minute goals, the tournament had it all. The participating teams—Matero United, Matero Youth Soccer Academy, George United FC, Plan FC, Muchinga FC, Chunga FC, Zingalume Middle FC, and Twilatane FC—battled fiercely in the group stages and knockout rounds, each side hungry for glory.

But it was the final showdown that truly stole the spotlight.

After a hard-fought 90 minutes, the scoreboard showed 1-1, setting the stage for a tense penalty shootout that had fans on the edge of their seats. Cheers erupted and vuvuzelas blared as Matero United held their nerve to seal the victory and lift the trophy high under the Zingalume sunset.

George United FC claimed third place after outclassing Plan FC in a spirited third-place playoff match.

There were individual heroes too. Charles Siwila of George United lit up the tournament with his scoring prowess, earning the Top Scorer award and proving himself a rising star to watch.

But the tournament wasn’t just about goals and glory. It was about community. All teams received certificates of participation, while outstanding players were rewarded with footballs and jerseys, thanks to the generosity of the sponsors.

Addressing the crowd during the prize-giving ceremony, Nawa Nawa spoke passionately about his vision for youth empowerment through sport.

“This tournament is more than just football,” he said. “It’s a symbol of what we can achieve when we come together—as a community, as a people, and as a nation. Our youth deserve platforms like this to shine.”

The event’s highlight came when UPND National Youth Chairperson Gilbert Liswaniso stepped forward and pledged cash support to every participating team, sparking jubilant celebrations from players and coaches alike.

As the sun set over Zingalume and the final whistle echoed into the evening, one thing was clear: this tournament had left a lasting mark—and residents are already calling for it to return next year, bigger and better.

Football, passion, and community spirit: Zingalume scored on all fronts.