adminMANICALAND schools’ soccer powerhouse Mutare Boys’ High got the better of bitter rivals Gaza High of Chipinge in the provincial finals to book a berth in the 2014 edition of the Copa Coca-Cola Under-16 national finals.
In the Under-17 girls’ category, Manicaland will be represented by Nyamauru High of Dangamvura, Mutare. The national finals will be played in Harare.
Mutare Boys’ High began their quest for a slot at the national finals with a sterling performance in the group stages of the provincial finals where they found themselves in the same group with Mavhudzi High of Makoni and Tsvingwe High of Penhalonga.
Mutare Boys’ High, who played hosts to last Friday’s provincial finals, outplayed Mavhudzi 4-2 in the opening match of the group stages before they settled for a one-all stalemate with a determined Tsvingwe High.
Mavhudzi and Tsvingwe shared the spoils in the other group match thereby leaving Mutare Boys’ High to progress to the quarter-finals. Mutare Boys’ High thumped St Charles Lwanga of Chimanimani 4-2 in a penalty shootout lottery after the two teams had settled for a two-all quarter-finals draw.
The host school then squared up against St Noah in the semi-finals and Mutare Boys’ High went on to win 5-4 in the dreaded sudden death penalty shootout after both teams had battled to a one-all stalemate in regulation time.
Full list of national Copa Coca-Cola 2014 provincial representatives:
Harare
Vainona (girls); Oriel Boys’ High (boys)
Manicaland
Nyamauru (girls); Mutare Boys’ High (boys)
Mashonaland Central
St Francis (girls); Chipadze High (boys)
Matabeleland South
Muzimuni (girls); Mzingwane (boys)
Masvingo
Chidzikwe (girls); Pamushana (boys)
Bulawayo
Magwegwe (girls); Mzilikazi (boys)
Mashonaland East
Girls not yet confirmed; Mkondwa (boys)
Matabeleland North
Chilisa (girls); Glooge (boys)
Mashonaland West
Sodbury (girls); Mwami (boys);
Midlands
(Not yet confirmed);
Hosts
Roosevelt (girls); Churchill (boys);
Defending champions
Chidyamakono (girls); Chemhanza (boys).
Online Reporter