The 2021 Cell C Inanda Africa Cup provided an unforgettable day of sportsmanship rounded off with a thrilling match between TEAM CELL C SOUTH AFRICA and SAO POLO TEAM NIGERIA. Streamed live on the official Inanda Club YouTube channel the match had polo enthusiasts glued to their screens as the teams showcased their outstanding skills and horsemanship techniques with Sao Polo Team Nigeria prevailing over Team Cell C South Africa.
“Congratulations to team Sao Polo on their sterling performance. The visiting team showed exceptional field prowess as a result of their well curated team-work.” Hazel Chimhandamba, Executive Head of Marketing at Cell C.
The near perfect weather and excellent field conditions allowed for a fast, exhilarating polo match, which concluded with an exhilarating penalty goal by Sao Polo Team Nigeria’s favourite player, Magaji Saidu Barda securing team the victory, the 2021 championship title and trophy.
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Stirring commentary by the presenter of the day, Matt Poll, kept polo enthusiast thrilled as the two teams fought tooth and nail in the high-scoring grand finale. First goal of the day was scored by Magajis Saidu Barda from Sao Polo Team Nigeria, kickstarting the team’s winning streak. The nerve-racking first chukka ended with a score of 1:2, in the favour of visiting team.
Thokozane Zondo scored a brilliant field goal in the second chukka landing his team on a score of 3:3 at the end of the second chukka, staging a dramatic second-half comeback.
Sao Polo Team Nigeria’s Magaji Saidu Barda took their 3rd penalty of the day and scored with a clean shot to seal victory for his team with a final score of 4:7.
Sao Polo Team Nigeria’s Captain, Ope Oyinlola expressed gratitude in his comment, “Thank you to the Inanda Club for a great day on the field, we came a long way to play polo here.” He then added “ Thank you Craig James for inviting us, always a pleasure participating in this event; thank you to the sponsors Cell C and to my team, well done on the win.”
“I’d like to thank Cell C for their ongoing support in making the Cell C Inanda Africa Cup possible.” says Craig James, Inanda Polo Manager. Craig James was also the captain of the Inanda Blue team that won the Curtain Raiser match, against East Rand earlier in the day.
The day kicked off with a Kids Curtain raiser polo match, between Inanda Blue and Inanda White, which Ended in a draw reinforcing how closely matched th next generation of polo players are.
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At the Prize Giving Ceremony Magaji Saidu Barda from Sao Polo Team Nigeria was awarded the title of the Most Valued Player (MVP), while the The Best Playing Pony (BPP) title went toLife Mode ridden by Zompie Totetsi from Sao Polo Team Nigeria.
In true Africa Cup fashion, the excitement of the day was rounded off by a thrilling Horse vs Machine Race, with Zompie Totetsi out galloping the prestigious Ferrari 458 Italia (Type F142).
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