adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
HARARE province says they have put in place all that is needed for the Copa Coca-Cola boys Under-16 and girls Under-17 football tournament provincial finals pencilled for today at Churchill and Roosevelt.
The tournament started at zonal level before going to the district competition and today most of the provinces are expected to host their provincial finals to determine their representatives at the national finals from July 22 to 24 in Gwanda.
The winning schools from the 10 provinces, in each section — boys and girls — will join defending champions, Dewure and Chidyamakono as well as the hosting schools Gwanda High and Colleen Bawn for the national competition.
Harare province head in charge, Ropafadzo Matemavi, said they are ready for the kick-off and are optimistic the winning schools will do the province proud at the national finals.
“I have been to the two schools (Churchill and Roosevelt), the pitches are almost ready and everything is in order. We are more than ready to host the event.
“For Harare it’s quite promising this year. I had the chance of going around for the district competitions and the teams are very strong. Even Vainona (former girls national champions) seems to have regrouped. The boys teams I watched, they are very strong.
“So we are quite hopeful we will bring both trophies to Harare,” said Matemavi.
The teams have been divided into three groups of three teams each for both boys and girls. The top teams in each group and the best runner-up from the groups will proceed to the semi-finals and then the finals.
For the boys, Group A is made up of Glen Norah, Churchill and Hatcliff while Group B consists of Dzivaresekwa 1 High, Mufakose 1 and Mabvuku High.
Prince Edward, Allan Wilson and Seke 3 will battle it out in Group C.
Group A for the girls will see St Mary’s locking horns with Mufakose 4 and Roosevelt. Mabelreign Girls High, Seke 1 and Glen Norah will fight for honours in Group B and Group C is made up of Mbare High, Oriel Girls and Vainona.
In Bulawayo participants will converge at Gifford while Dewure High host schools in Masvingo province.
Mashonaland West schools will be at Rimuka and Munyaradzi High. Kwekwe High host teams from Midlands and Mashonaland East schools are set to meet at St Ignatius.
Herman Germainer and Chipindura are the hosting schools for Mashonaland Central.
Matabeleland North teams converge at Fatima High and Manicaland will have their tournament at Mamunyadza High.
Matabeleland South and Bulawayo are expected to hold their games next Tuesday and Wednesday.
Filabusi are the hosts for Matabeleland South and Gifford will host Bulawayo schools.
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