adminJillian Shava Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO provincial COPA Coca-Cola soccer champions Mpopoma High School have upped their preparations for the national finals to be held in the city from July 17-19.
Gifford will host the boys’ tournament and Montrose will host the girls.
Mpopoma makes a return to the prestigious national secondary schools’ soccer extravaganza after a five-year absence having last played in the 2010 tournament in Masvingo where they were booted out in the group stages.
Mpopoma qualified for the nationals after beating Milton High 3-0 in the provincial final last month.
Team coach Misheck Maphosa said although this is his first time coaching a team at a national tournament, he is confident of guiding the boys all the way.
“Reaching the nationals is a big achievement for me. It gives me validation that I’ve been coaching the team excellently. We train twice a day to polish up certain things, but I believe the district, provincial and other tournaments have equipped us to scoop the national title,” said Maphosa.
He said most of his players played for junior teams of known clubs such as Chicken Inn, Bantu Rovers and Mpumelelo, which gives them an advantage over other schools.
“Gumbo and Mongameli Tshuma are the players we’ll be pinning our hopes on. Our goalkeeper Brian Ndlovu hasn’t conceded a goal in all the games we played in, both in the district and provincial finals, so we’ll also be banking on him in the nationals,” Maphosa said.
Montrose team manager Anicetus Matsokoto said they would not just be making up the numbers, but were serious contenders for the girls’ title.
All members of the Montrose squad have been vetted and Matsokoto said they were now focusing on the weekend tournament.
“We’re not worried about the vetting on match day as all our girls’ required documents are in order and none looks physically bigger for their age,” said Matsokoto.
He said they were now concentrating on the girls’ fitness.
“When we played Magwegwe, we realised that they beat us due to their fitness level, which is why we’re concentrating on improving our players’ level of fitness,” he said.
Montrose vice-captain Shazreen Nyamutuka, who will be making her first appearance in the secondary schools’ soccer extravaganza, said they were ready for the tournament and aim to make it past the group stages.
“We’re highly motivated. Although we lost to Magwegwe in the provincials, we never lost a match in the district games and believe this is proof that we’re a good team. We’ll give other teams a run for their money,” said Nyamutuka.
Montrose would be looking up to Primrose Mbambo and Marsha-Leigh Fisher to see them advance.
Montrose Squad
Faith Hlabangana, Marsha-Leigh Fisher, Langelihle Sibanda, Laura Manzunzu, Jacqueline Chada, Fantamina Mutundumira, Primrose Mbambo, Shazreen Nyamutuka, Agnes Zhou, Linda Mlilo, Nichola Moyo, Nomvula Moyo, Elita Kumwenda, Sibonginkosi Ncube, Isabel Mombe, Delight Kaurai and Ashell Makamure
Mpopoma squad
Brian Ndlovu, Lloyd Arimon, Tafadzwa Ndava, Bright Mkhwananzi, Leeroy Chaza, Mongameli Tshuma, Mzingaye Ndebele, Methembe Nzeya, Oswaza Sibanda, Sharlon Murechu, Future Gumbo, Ronaldo Tshuma, Martin Mnkandla, Thabo Nyathi, Wisdom Chirwa, Mthokozisi Maphosa, Destiny Maphosa, Akim Ngwenya, Nathaniel Moyo, Lexington Mujokoro, Elvis Manyudza, Panashe Taruyinga
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