Eastern Region junior tourney underway

Curtworth Masango
ZIFA Eastern Region have unveiled an inaugural tournament for the Under-20 teams, which kicked off on Saturday.

ZIFA Eastern region chairman, Davison Muchena, hailed the initiative saying it’s a big day for the development of junior football in the country.

Muchena also believes the regional Under-20 tourney will bring back the old glory days of junior football.

“Today is the big day where our Under-20 provincial team selection will be done.

“The games will kick off in a Round Robin format while the panel of coaches will select the best of the best,” said Muchena.

He added:

“The idea is to generate interest from all the stakeholders, within the region, so that the league can kick-start next season

“Regional Under-20s will then battle for supremacy across the Regions to try to bring back the glory days, and junior football, in general.

“This will then be done at all age groups as we go.”

Teams were divided into four groups.

The Lowveld group comprises Triangle’s Ramangwana, Hippo Valley, Chiredzi Select, Renco Mine, and Greenfuel.

The Manicaland group comprises a PSL and a Division 1 Select, Majesa, Mutare Select A, Mutare Select B.

The Mashonaland East group consists of a Division 1 Select, Power 11, Rusununguko and Goromonzi.

The Masvingo group includes a Division 1 Select, Zaka Academy, Dewure and Pamushana.

The Zifa Eastern Region covers Manicaland, Masvingo, and Mashonaland East provinces.

Elis Gledhill High School hosted matches in Mutare. The Lowveld teams clashed at Chishamiso in Chiredzi.

In Mashonaland East, teams played at Chiremba Ground.