Five-A-Side Heroes Day tourney on

THE Mining Suppliers-sponsored Southern Region Five-Aside Heroes Day tournament will be played today at Grassroots Soccer Football for Hope Centre in Gwabalanda. The draw for the contest was conducted late last week at the Zifa Southern Region offices.

The participating teams were drawn into two groups. Pool A will have Amabhubesi, Entumbane Stars, Mzilikazi United and TNS Rovers. Pool B will be made up of Fox, Emeralds, Mictech Stars and Matsika.

National Futsal Association chairman, Philani Banda said: “Everything is in place. The draw was successfully conducted late last week and we are ready to go. We are looking forward to having a great tournament.”

Mining Suppliers, who also trade under the name Homestead NE Mine or Pay Attention Investment, agreed to provide a trophy, medals and monetary prizes.

Due to financial constraints, Banda has previously bemoaned their clubs’ struggle to participate in major tournaments.

“Another let-down, not only in Bulawayo but the whole country, is the lack of serious competition. As soon as we have other provinces besides Bulawayo and Harare coming in as major players, the sport will make great strides.

We also need to have more playing facilities. In Bulawayo, we only have a stadium in Gwabalanda but to grow the sport we need more facilities,” said Banda.

Five Aside Heroes Tournament Games Schedule

Group A

Match 1 Amabhubesi vs Entumbane Stars
Match 2 Mzilikazi United vs TNS Rovers
Match 3 Nedbank vs Amabhubesi
Match 4 Entumbane Stars vs Mzilikazi United
Match 5 TNS Rovers vs Nedbank
Match 6 Amabhubesi vs Mzilikazi United
Match 7 Entumbane vs TNS Rovers
Match 8 Nedbank vs Mzilikazi
Match 9 TNS Rovers vs Amabhubesi
Match 10 Entumbane vs Nedbank

Group B

Match 1 Fox vs Emeralds
Match 2 Mictech Stars vs Matsika
Match 3 Fox vs Matsika
Match 4 Mictech Stars vs Emeralds
Match 5 Fox vs Mictech Stars
Match 6 Emeralds vs Matsika
—@FungaiMuderere