adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
IT is that time of the year again when schools brace for the country’s biggest junior football tournament as the 2016 edition of the Copa Coca-Cola boys Under-16 and girls Under-17 competitions will be launched tomorrow at Dewure High School in Gutu.
Dewure are the boys Under-16 defending champions following their 4-3 victory on penalties over Rujeko last year at Barbourfields.
The launch will set the tone for the tournament expected to kick-off with the zonal competition on May 27 in the 10 country’s provinces.
This will be followed by the district competition on June 10 while the provincial finals are set for July 8. These provincial finals will determine the 10 schools that will join the defending champions and hosting schools for the national finals.
This year’s national competition is scheduled to run from July 22 to 24 at Pelandaba stadium in Gwanda.
Colleen Bawn and Gwanda High are the hosting schools and they automatically qualify for the national finals by virtue of being the hosts.
Dewure and Chidyamakono, who are girls title holders, also qualify by the virtue of being the defending champions.
NASH head in charge of football, Albert Mucheka, said they are looking forward to the launch where the draw will be conducted.
“The launch is on Friday. As NASH we are ready for that event.
“The draw will be conducted to know which provinces are going to be competing at the group stages. Sponsorship will be unveiled at the same launch.
“The Copa Coca-Cola is the biggest tournament on the NASH calendar, so expectations are high.
“We are taking the national finals to Gwanda for this year,” said Mucheka.
Online Reporter