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Mkhuphali Masuku, who is part of the organising team, said the junior tournament, which was launched a fortnight ago at Magwegwe Secondary, was part of Mwaruwari’s testimonial celebrations.
He said they have lined up a lively programme that would see soccer lovers enjoying themselves.
“Everything is set and the teams are raring to go. This is a big day for the junior league in the city as we hope these youngsters will be inspired by playing in the first edition of the Benjani Mwaruwari Soccer Festival which will be an annual event. It is soccer festivals that other youngsters attract scouts and it is our hope that even after this competition we will manage to identify players that will go on to be stars,” said Masuku.
Masuku said the former national team skipper saw it proper to establish a soccer festival in Bulawayo as part of giving back to the community.
Mwaruwari is on record for saying he has always wanted to do something for Bulawayo but pressing commitments would not permit him to give something back to the community.
The winners of the tournament will on 26 May travel to Harare to watch the Benjani Mwaruwari testimonial match which will be graced by world stars.
“Like I said, the competition is about giving youngsters a platform to shine. Next year’s edition will be bigger and better and the goal is to attract even clubs from outside Zimbabwe . What Benjy is trying to do is to bring football scouts to Bulawayo because he believes the youngsters deserve a chance to shine. Once we manage to invite out-of-Zimbabwe teams in the next editions, it means more scouts will come to look for players and at the same time Bulawayo will benefit in the sense that those that will visit will spend money in the city,” said Masuku.
Apart from the junior teams battling it out at White City, former players and legends from the Southern Region will curtain raise the final tomorrow morning against Chronicle.
The legends are preparing to curtain raise in the Benjani Mwaruwari Testimonial match against their Northern Region counterparts next weekend at the National Sports Stadium on 26 May.
Masuku said the legends have been training under the watchful eyes of Cosmas Zulu, Gibson Homela and Ali “Baba” Dube at Archers.
Agent Sawu, Zenzo Moyo, Dazzy Kapenya, Barry Daka, Willard Khumalo, Adam Ndlovu and Netsai Moyo are some of the players in the team to face a fast improving Chronicle.
Although they are yet to win Chronicle’s perfomance has been improving with each outing.
With players like defender and skipper Fortune Muzarabani, Charles Chunda, Patrick Ndlovu, goalkeeper Patrick Bhunu, Fungai Muderere, Limukani Ncube, Lovemore Dube, Mehluli Sibanda, Phineas Mukwazo and Innocent Gore, the match is set to be full of thrills.
They will welcome back Ricky Zililo while Paul Nkala will make his long awaited comeback.
Junior Teams
Group A: Rising Stars, FMH, Emakhandeni Pirates, Highlanders
Group B: Bantu Rovers, Magwegwe Secondary School, Ajax Hotspurs, Chicken Inn
Online Reporter