adminMzingaye Sibanda Sports Reporter
THE annual Horsepower Off-Season Soccer Tournament kicks off on Saturday with at least 20 teams battling it out in the popular social soccer tourney. The football fiesta that usually draws some of the best players in Bulawayo had initially been scheduled to kickoff on Unity Day but was moved to a later date after organisers failed to get grounds on time.
Madodana “Horsepower” Tshabangu, the brains behind the competition, said the stage is set for the biggest social soccer festival.
The tournament has been the traditional off-season football attraction that has been followed by football enthusiasts since inception 14 years ago.
Tshabangu challenged competitive clubs to use his tournament for talent identification as only the best would be in contention for top honours.
“Our aim is to promote soccer and help in terms of talent identification in the city so as to help Bulawayo clubs tap raw talent. They (Bulawayo teams) should use such forums as talent identification platforms,” said Tshabangu.
International stars like Benjani Mwaruwari, Mkhokheli Dube, Vusa Nyoni and Honour Gombami have graced it in the past.
Meanwhile, registration is already underway and teams willing to take part should formalise their participation.
Defending champions Cape to Cairo, Unity Village, Nga-Chronicle, Nketa and Gokwe based Nemangwe Stars have already confirmed participation.
In previous editions of the tournament, teams have featured Premier Soccer League players, something that has given popularity to the knockout competition.
Tshabangu said they stopped encouraging Premier Soccer League players to take part in the tournament as others have suffered injuries that have affected their professional game.
Online Reporter