Cuito - Huíla's U-17 women's football team won the first national tournament on Saturday in Cuito city, Bié province, after beating Luanda's team 1-0 in the final.

The only goal of the match, which was played at the Eucaliptos stadium, was scored by Salioide in the 40th minute.

Cuanza Norte finished third, beating Bié 3-1 on penalties after scoring twice in regulation time.

The Luanda man was named player of the tournament, while Tininha, also from the capital, was named goalkeeper of the tournament after conceding just four goals in five matches.

Top scorer was Moxico's Glória Catiane, who netted six times.

At the end of the match, Huila coach Grabiela Muhongo "Subarsa" pointed to the teamwork and discipline of her players as the main factors behind the victory and promised to continue working to consolidate and develop women's football in the province.

The assistant coach of the Luanda team, Hernâni Direito, lamented the lack of concentration shown by his players, who he said failed to take advantage of opportunities to score.

The vice-president of the Angolan Football Federation (FAF) in charge of women's football, Irene Gonçalves, praised the tournament, adding that it had achieved its objectives, which were mainly to discover new talent.

The first national U-17 women's tournament saw the participation of nine teams out of the ten originally planned, five in Group A (Bié, Moxico, Kwanza Norte, Malanje and Lunda Sul) and four in Group B (Cubango, Huila, Luanda and Uíge, with Cabinda not taking part).

The event, which is being organised by the APF as part of its efforts to promote women's football, is part of the celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the country's independence on 11 November. VKY/PLB/AMP