adminSikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
HOSTS Bulawayo and defending champions Matabeleland South’s girls handball teams tamed their semi-final opponents to set up a dream National Youth Games final at Northlea High School today.Champions Matabeleland South shrugged off a spirited challenge from surprise semi-finalists Mashonaland East to eventually win 11-10 at Luveve High School while Bulawayo made light work of Mashonaland Central, pummelling them 25-7.
The two provinces have a long standing grudge dating back to 2004, a year after the launch of the games. Today’s final is therefore a blood and thunder encounter.
“There is a big grudge between the provinces yes but for the spirit of the games, the best team of the day will win. For us to reach the finals, we fought hard because our opponents gave us a good run for our money,” said Matabeleland South team manager Listina Nare Charlie soon after the final whistle.
Losing coach Clemence Tauro blamed their defeat on the injury of their star goalkeeper Millicent Musuwale.
“We played an equally good side but I believe the injury to our goalkeeper made all the difference for us although her replacement Pretty Wakuwa also came up with some crucial saves,” said Tauro.
Mashonaland East will now clash with Mashonaland Central in the third place play-off just before the epic final between the southern region provinces.
While the girls were in celebratory mood, the provinces’ boys teams suffered heartbreaking defeats at the same stage, hosts Bulawayo going down 13-16 to archrival Harare.
There was an upset in the boys category after defending champions Manicaland were booted out in the group stages before falling 14-12 to Midlands in the fifth place finish to eventually end their 2013 Youth Games campaign on sixth position.
Meanwhile, Bulawayo boys soccer side came second in their Pool A group behind Harare to go through to the semifinals where they are set to clash with Mashonaland West who topped their Pool B group.
Harare will meet the winner between Manicaland and Mashonaland Central.
On their way to the semi-final Bulawayo came from a goal down to beat determined Matabeleland North, coached by former Highlanders goalkeeper Edmore “Mamkhwebu” Sibanda 2-1.
The boys from Matabeleland North got their lead through a beautifully taken set piece by Pardon Muyawuki before Agent Sawu’s boys pulled one back through Rasiwe Banda. Quelaton’s Modley Njeleza struck with a firm header to put Bulawayo in the driving seat.
“We wanted three points and we showed a lot of character after going down and eventually winning,” said Sawu.
Their second and final match of the day ended 1-1 with defending champions Harare who beat Midlands 1-0 in their first match of the day.
In Pool B, Mashonaland West shocked Mashonaland Central 1-0 to take an unassailable 10 points.
Manicaland beat Mashonaland East 2-0 before winning 2-1 against Masvingo.
In girls soccer, Bulawayo will clash with Matabeleland South in the first semifinal before Manicaland squares off with Mashonaland Central.
Boys soccer results:
Pool A
Matabeleland South 0, Midlands 0; Bulawayo 2, Matabeleland North 1; Midlands 0, Harare 1; Bulawayo 1, Harare 1
Pool B
Mashonaland East 0, Manicaland 2; Mashonaland Central 0, Mashonaland West 0; Manicaland 2, Masvingo 1; Manicaland 1, Mashonaland East 0.
Online Reporter