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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
FOR Chidyamakono High School, winning the Copa Coca-Coca Girls Football Tournament has become an annual event and the Chivi-based school are basking in the glory of capturing a fifth straight title.
They beat debutantes Mamunyadza from Manicaland 1-0 in the final to underline their status as the best girls’ football team at school level.
The girls’ competition was introduced in 2011 and Vainona claimed the championship in the first two years before the Chidyamakono juggernaut took over.
And, since winning their first title in 2013, Chidyamakono have maintained their dominance in the tournament. Coach Yeukai Chiruvu said it’s all because of hard work.
“The secret behind is hard work and dedication. Usually people say sweet comes from sweat, surely we work hard.
“This is not my complexion, but it’s because I spend the whole day in the sun. It’s the dedication and passion for the sport.
“We have these young players, in fact we groom them as early as Form One. We train throughout the year and the secret behind girls soccer is endurance.
“Our training involves a lot of running, playing games continuously so that they get used to it, so even if they play 10 games they can still go on.
“Surely it has been a tough journey because to earn such an achievement is not easy, it’s only through hard work and dedication and the support from fellow staff members, the business community and Coca-Cola itself,” said Chiruvu.
On their first appearance at the national finals in 2012, Chidyamakono reached the final but lost 0-2 to Vainona. However, for them it was just the beginning of an incredible journey.
They returned to the event in 2013 better prepared and were crowned champions for the first time by beating Vainona 2-0. Since then it has been their title, winning it year after year.
With the sponsors reviewing the age-group from girls Under-17 to Under-15 this year, Chiruvu said they had some challenges but managed to find their rhythm.
“What I can say is during the Under-17 era there was stiff competition. You could even feel the pressure on the bench. Yes, this is a new tournament, most schools were not yet composed and it wasn’t as stiff as the last editions,” she said.
The 35-year-old has been with the team since their first appearance at the national finals in 2012 and she added that experience also comes into play.
“When we came here I could see the girls playing and due to the experience that I have I could tell how the competition was and how I should adjust and improve the girls I had in my team,” Chiruvu said.
The team also had three of their players — Atida Nyagudza, Beatrice Machona and Daphine Mapfanyangira — making it into the dream team.
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