184 schools on warpath

Mosi-a-Tunya High boys and Manunure High School boys will not be active this weekend. Prince Edward School will be a hive of activity when Harare schools converge for a battle royale, as top teams try to force a return to the national finals.
Having tasted success in 2009 at Chinhoyi High and attended a training camp in South Africa, Dzivarasekwa High 2 are one of the strong favourites to win the Harare provincial finals. Four-time winners of the Coca-Cola schools’ soccer tournament, Churchill Boys High, are eager to end the nightmare that has haunted them in past years in which they have failed to qualify for the national finals.

Lord Marlvern High, who produced fine players in the mould of Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiart, are also in the running for the Harare ticket. Other schools eager to make their presence felt include Prince Edward, Cranborne Boys, Highfield High 2, Mufakose 2 High, Seke 2 High, Vainona, Zengeza 4 High and Glen Norah High 1.
In the Harare girls’ provincial finals, also at Prince Edward today, one school will come up tops to secure the ticket, joining defending champions Vainona High at the national finals at Mosi-a-Tunya High in Victoria Falls.

Vainona High confirmed they would be taking part, as a way of keeping shape and also give their technical team an opportunity for a final assessment of the side.
Glen View 1 High are serious contenders to join Vainona in Victoria Falls. Last year they missed out on the national finals held in Bulawayo after coming second to Vainona High.

Schools that are expected to make a big impression include Glen View 1, Girls High, Kwayedza Secondary, Oriel Girls, Zengeza 4, Seke High 1, Dzivarasekwa 1 High, Mufakose 2 High, Mbare High and Mukai Secondary.

Mashonaland East has never produced a winner in the tournament’s history but are confident of defying all odds at the national finals and hoist the glittering trophy.

Marondera High will host schools for the provincial finals in both the Under-16 boys’ category and Under-17 girls’ tournament and home advantage could swing things in their favour. Other boys’ schools that can squeeze in and qualify for the national finals are perennial campaigners Nhowe Mission, Mutoko High, Seke Secondary, Chemhanza and Acturus Secondary.

Kambarami Secondary, Macheke High, Monte Cassino, St Barnabas, Goromonzi High, Rutanhira Secondary, Guruve Secondary and Mugabe Secondary will provide stiff competition for Kandava High and Marondera High.