Eastern region kick-start Dube tourney

Tawanda Mangoma Lowveld Sports Correspondent
ZIFA Eastern Region teams battled it out over the weekend in the first round of the 14th edition of Sylvia Dube Trophy . The tournament which is bankrolled by Zifa president Cuthbert Dube is in honour of his late wife Sylvia. Last year the tournament was sponsored to the tune of $130,000 and this year’s package is expected to be much higher.

The tournament was punctuated by derbies, a move that was meant to reduce transport costs for away teams.
Former Premier League side Masvingo United made it into the second round after walking over Gutu FC who failed to turn up for the match which was supposed to be at Mucheke Stadium.

Ruwa United booked a place into the next round after Chivhu Stars also failed to turn up.
Mwenezana, a Triangle FC feeder team, recorded the highest win after silencing police side ZRP Masvingo 6-1 at Mwenezana Stadium.

Defending champions Renco Mine sneaked into the second round defeating Black Eagles 5-4 on penalties after the match ended 2-2 in regulation time.
Mutare City who are fighting for Premiership status beat Mutare Polytechnic 2-0.

Buffaloes Juniors were surprised in their own backyard by Tenax FC who beat them 1-0 while Eastern Stars made it after defeating Surrey FC 1-0.
FC Three Leaves won 3-2 over neighbours Gaza Gunners at Durama Stadium in Chipinge.

Mutare City will now take on Tenax in the last eight of the tournament while Mwenezana will lock horns with Masvingo United in the quarter-finals.
The winner will meet Eastern Stars in the quarter-finals. Eastern Region administrator Tadius Machawira said they are still finalising on the dates of the quarter-finals.

“We’re still to finalise on the dates of the quarter-finals and teams will be advised soon. On the issue of the sponsorship package we’ll advice as soon as the sponsor Cuthbert Dube avails the information to the region,” said Machawira.
In its first year in 2010 the tournament was bankrolled to the tune of $50,000 and by 2012 it was pegged at $60,000.

Last year’s edition was sponsored to the tune of $130, 000.