Gifford in good start

Fungai Muderere 

GIFFORD High School made home advantage count in their favour when they won two and drew once in the three matches they played in the Dumisani Foundation Under-15 football competition opening fixtures last Saturday.

It was a good start for the Nathan Tshuma-coached Gifford when they defeated Milton 1-0 and followed up that win with yet another similar triumph over last year’s beaten finalists Mtshabezi. Gifford then played out a 1-1 draw with last year’s winners Entumbane. Gifford top the log with seven points, followed by Mtshabezi with four while Entumbane and Milton have two each. 

Dumisani Foundation tournament co-ordinator, Arthur Mpuli said the standard of play had improved with competitive matches played by the youngsters. The four schools will play two more rounds of fixtures next term before the final round of fixtures takes place at Mtshabezi in August just before schools close. Entumbane and Mtshabezi are also part of the competition with the two schools to play each other next term. 

“Competition was just good this time . . . standards have really gone up. We will have two more rounds next term before the final round of games,” Mpuli said.

Last year, it was double delight for Entumbane with their girls and boys teams winning the competition. The girls clobbered Mtshabezi 7-0 while the boys defeated the same school 4-3 on penalties with the match having concluded 1-1 in normal time. 

The man behind Dumisani Foundation, United Kingdom-based school teacher Dumisani Ndlovu is expected to attend the final round of the tournament together with the other sponsors, Nkosiyazi Elliot Moyo and Nkosinathi Zvimba.