Online Reporter
Nkosilathi [email protected]
DEFENDING champions Hwange High School (boys) and Somvubu High School (girls) have begun their quest to retain their crowns at the ninth edition of the ORAP Zenzele Isuzu Under-20 Championship Cup, which kicked off at Gifford High School in Bulawayo on Friday.
The two-day annual tournament, which ends on Saturday, has once again brought together 16 schools drawn from Bulawayo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South and Midlands provinces, with the competition continuing to provide a platform for identifying and nurturing young football talent.
Early results from Friday’s group stage matches suggested another fiercely contested tournament, with defending champions and several traditional powerhouses making positive starts in both the boys’ and girls’ categories.
In the boys’ competition, Chaplin High School opened with a convincing 3-0 victory over Kariyangwe High School, while Rio Tinto High School beat Tsholotsho High School 2-1. Zezani High School made a strong statement with a 4-0 demolition of Chaplin High School before Rio Tinto edged Empandeni High School 1-0.
In the girls group, Somvubu High School started brightly with a 2-0 win over Magwegwe High School after playing out a goalless draw against Dekezi High School. Mzilikazi High School also impressed, beating Murerezi High School 4-1, while Tongwe High School edged Somvubu 1-0. Guinea Fowl High School recorded a 1-0 victory over Tongwe before Mzilikazi overwhelmed Dekezi High School 10-0.
The next round of matches, the quarter finals, follows after the late lunch break.
The group winners and runners-up will advance to Saturday’s knockout rounds as schools battle for the prestigious ORAP Zenzele Isuzu U20 title.
Competing schools:
Girls: Townsend High School (Bulawayo), Mzilikazi High School (Bulawayo), Empandeni High School (Matabeleland South), Dekezi High School (Matabeleland South), Kariangwe High School (Matabeleland North), Somvubu High School (Matabeleland North), Chaplin High School (Midlands), Murerezi High School (Midlands)
Boys: Gifford High School (Bulawayo), Magwegwe High School (Bulawayo), Zezani High School (Matabeleland South), Tongwe High School (Matabeleland South), Tsholotsho High School (Matabeleland North), Somvubu High School (Matabeleland North), Rio Tinto High School (Midlands),Guinea Fowl High School (Midlands).
