Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
FOLKS in Chimanimani District will use the power of sport to remember the country’s fallen and living heroes when the inaugural edition of the Chimanimani Western Villa Heroes Tournament kicks-off at Mhakwe Secondary School on Sunday.
The Chimanimani Western Villa Heroes Junior Football Tournament will see the host team, Western Villa Academy, Sakubva United Academy and flamboyant Manicaland Juniors of Excellency (MAJESA) playing a round robin contest.
The tournament will be bankrolled by Western Villa Academy owner, Moleck Machocho.
Apparently, Western Villa Academy has been growing in leaps and bounds since its establishment, with exceptionally talented players like Glee Jerekete, goalkeeper, George Mutambanengwe, Mahlatse Ngarivhume, Fortune Manzou (captain) and Mude Marowa, emerging through its rank and file.
Machocho said: “We thought it prudent to have this Chimanimani Heroes Trophy Tournament as a way to educate the youngsters on the importance on honouring the departed as well as living heroes and heroines of our country.
“In the same context, we will also be having a chance to improve the football talents of youngsters in Chimanimani and Mutare. This is a family day out where we will have anyone who wishes to support the game of football and its future.”
Machocho said former FIFA panel referee, Kenny Marange will be the guest.
“We are going to have Kenny Marange as our guest of honour during this event. He is a football icon who needs no introduction to any serious football loving person,” he said.
Apart from Marange, a galaxy of former football starts, mainly those who trace their roots to Mutare, will be in attendance.
The Mhakwe High School-based Western Academy, tucked in the thickets of Chimanimani, is proving that football talent knows no urban nor rural background, after going pound for pound with Mutare-based football academies in recent encounters.
Only recently, the academy dismissed Mutare’s Reactors Academy, both in the Under-15s and Under-18s matches played in the eastern border city.
Mhakwe-based academy outplayed Reactors Under-15 team 3-2, thanks to goals from vice-captain, Honest Muruwa and a brace from Mike Muusha.
In the Under-18s contest, Western Villa Academy were once again victorious after beating the home side 2-1, with Glee Jerekete and Marlon Sithole on target.
Under the tutelage of committed coach, Godfrey Chimana, the youngsters are honing their football skills, thanks to the benevolence of transport entrepreneur, Machocho, who is channeling personal financial and material resources towards the daily costs of running the academy.
With the technical help of Buffaloes’ coaches, Collins ‘Sete’ Masembo and Patrick ‘Fancho’ Alfasi, Western Academy is bringing up to date training methods for junior footballers in the rural community of Mhakwe.
