Copa-Cola tournament on

They will be joined by the provincial winners from the 10 provinces.
Each category will be made up of 12 schools.

All teams are expected in Mutare today for the three-day event which will end on Sunday.
This year’s competition will see some new schools, such as Mbare High, competing.

They will be representing Harare in the girls’ category and they have promised to give their opponents a good run for their money as they seek to snatch the title from Vainona who are also Harare’s representatives.

However, it is going to be a tough challenge as Vainona, who have been the title holders since 2011, have already made it clear that they will be out to retain the title.
If they win this year’s tournament they will retain the trophy for keeps to become the first school to achieve such a feat.

Mbare High assistant coach, Regina Katambetambe, said they have adequately prepared for the tournament and are ready to compete.
“We are very prepared and we are raring to go. The girls are so excited, this is the first time they have gone this far and there is a lot of excitement. We are hoping to win the US$3000.

“I think we have the best players, we have very good soccer players. I think we can even be better than the boys. We are not afraid of anyone,” said Katambetambe.
The boys winners will receive US$6 500 and the runners will get US$5 500 while winners in the girls section will get US$3 000 and the runners up will pocket US$2 500.
This year’s event will be graced by former Warriors coach, Norman Mapeza, Desmond Maringwa and Lazarus Muhoni.

Boys
Pool A: Mzingwane, Ngezi Barracks, Zvishavane.
Pool B: Gaza, Hwange, Gifford.
Pool C: Sakubva, Mwenezi, Chemhanza.
Pool D: Gwanda, Howard, Churchill.
Girls
Pool A: Vainona, Mosi-a-Tunya, Silonga.
Pool B: Sakubva, Matinunura, Rutanhira.
Pool C: Mbare High, Sodbury, Masocha.
Pool D: Rukweza, St Francis, Chidyamakono.