COPA Coca Cola provincial finals beckon

Fungai Muderere
TEAMS that progressed from district stages at the 2016 COPA Coca Cola football tournament lock horns on 8 July for the provincial finals.

Gifford High, Filabusi High and Fatima High will play host to Bulawayo, Matabeleland South and Matabeleland North provincial finals respectively.

Eventually, survivors will set a date for the national finals in Matabeleland Southa��s capital, Gwanda, from 22 to 24 July.

With Matabeleland South having the rights to organise this yeara��s national event, it is understood that Gwanda and Plumtree were in the forefront but Coca-Cola and the National Association of Secondary Heads agreed that the provincial capital be the venue.

The last time the province staged the final was in 2006 when Plumtree High School played host.

A total of 12 grounds have been identified for use, these being two each at Gwanda High, Senondo Primary, and Saint Christophera��s Primary while one pitch will be used at Jahunda Primary, Gwanda Secondary School, Pelandaba Stadium, Showgrounds, Joshua Mqabuko Polytechnic and Prisons.

The official launch of this yeara��s tournament was on 20 May at Dewure High School- in the Gutu area of Masvingo province.A� Dewure High School were the winners of the boys final held in Bulawayo last year.

Winners in Bulawayo and Manicaland provinces were drawn in Group A with defending champions Dewure High School at the national finals.A� Gwanda High School gained automatic entry as the boys hosts while Colleen Bawn are going to the national finals as the home team for the girls.

The two are joined by last yeara��s boysa�� champions Dewure and Chidyamakono, who have won the championships three times in a row.

Dewure were one of the seeded teams heading into the draw for the boys together with the host school for the finals,

Gwanda High, the provincial champions for Matabeleland South as well as Masvingo.

For the girls, three times in a row winners Chidyamakono were seeded together with the hosting school Colleen Bawn, the champions from Matabeleland South and Masvingo.