Martin Muleya
MASVINGO-Alice Chiota has successfully defended her Carling Black Label national pool title at the finals held in Masvingo last Saturday at Urban Lifestyle Hotel.
Chitungwiza cueist Alice Chiota (41) cemented her status as Zimbabwe’s leading female pool player after she successfully defended her Carling lack Label National Women’s Pool Championship.
Chiota defeated Diana Kabasa after the pair split the opening four frames. She demonstrated the composure that had made her one of the country’s standout players, reeling off three consecutive frames to seal victory and successfully defending the title she won last year.
She won US$2 500 in prize money as well as a new pool table while Kabasa walked away with US$1 500 prize money for being the runner-up.
The national finals attracted 82 players, comprising 45 women and 37 men, reflecting the growing popularity of the sport and strengthening its association with the Carling Black Label Brand.
Stephen Paswanai popularly known as ‘Mafana’, emerged as the 2026 national champion after defeating Godknows Masona also known as ‘Sir Gode’, in a thrilling final.
For his victory, Paswanai walked away with the championship title, US$2 500 in prize money and a brand new pool table. Masona received US$1 500 after finishing as runner-up.
Defending champion Timothy Onida nicknamed ‘Sakala’, claimed third place to earn US$1 000 while Escha Chimbwanda settled for fourth position and received US$500.
The tournament drew an impressive turnout of pool enthusiasts from across the country, with players and supporters gathering in Masvingo to celebrate the sport and witness high-quality competition.
The successful staging of the national finals further cemented the Carling Black Label national pool tournament as one of the country’s premier sporting competitions, providing a platform for talented players to showcase their abilities while promoting the development of the game nationwide.
