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SIX teams will compete in the inaugural Makokoba Football Challenge meant to honour the suburb’s people who excelled in different careers.
The first edition of the competition which will be an annual event will be held at Makokoba’s 11th Street grounds on Sunday. Former national team and Highlanders striker Zenzo Moyo who is part of the organising committee said everything is set for the initial tournament and called on people of Makokoba to rally behind the project.
He said the idea to come up with the Makokoba Football Challenge was meant to create dialogue with the youths and share with them their experiences.
The former Premiership Soccer Star of the Year dispelled the notion that Makokoba is a haven for criminals.
“After seeing that most young people in Makokoba are unemployed and spend most of their time on the streets, we decided to come up with an annual Makokoba Football Challenge. The idea is to use sport as a medium to reach out to young people and share ideas on how best they can shape their lives so that they earn a decent living.
“There is everything in Makokoba and there are a lot of young talented and intelligent youngsters who just need guidance so that they can make right life choices. The competition is also meant to celebrate the heroes of Makokoba who have not only done the suburb proud but the country as a whole,” said Moyo.
The former Highlanders striker who at the peak of his career played in Cyprus and Greece said they will honour the departed as well as those who are living.
Some of the people who have come out of Makokoba include the Ndlovu brothers — Madinda, the late Adam and Peter who played for Bulawayo soccer giants Highlanders as well as the national team. They also had stints in Europe with Madinda spending sometime in Germany with the late Adam plying his trade in Switzerland while Peter was snapped by Coventry City in England.
The late Lenny Gwata who was a close friend to Moyo, late songstress Beatar Mangethe, Taurai Muswere who had a glorious acting career and Amakhosi Cultural Centre’s Cont Mhlanga are some of the heroes to be honoured through the Makokoba Football Challenge.
Moyo said the draw for the mini-tournament will be held tomorrow.
Online Reporter
Londile Moyo