Inline prepare for LM football tourney

The club’s secretary-general Trust Kwembeya, who is also the founder and director, said that the club were ready for the tournament and were looking forward to clinching the title.

“We are ready for the tournament. The ladies are making the final preparations at our training base, Sikhulile High School, and this year promises to be better. We have to win the match,” said Kwembeya.

The Shadreck Mlauzi-coached outfit are second on the log and are one of the two teams representing Bulawayo in the tournament. The other team are last year’s winners New Orleans.

The tournament will be made up of six teams from the National Women’s Soccer League and two teams from Botswana.

The Zimbabwean teams that have confirmed participation are Inline Academy, New Orleans, Black Rhinos, Mufakose Queens, Cyclone Stars and the hosts Chipembere Queens and the visiting Botswana teams are Double Action and Meat Girls.

The eight teams will be grouped into two pools of four clubs.

Teams that finish in the top two will proceed to the semi-finals.

The theme for this year is “Making the Girl Child Smile Through Soccer,” and the competition will be a two-day event.

The director of the tournament Lewis Muzhara from LM Auctioneers said the theme was meant to raise awareness among the public about the positive impact sport can have on the girl child.

“We believe there are a lot of positives coming through the sport and continued support will ensure girls fully utilise their talent in football and realise their dreams. We don’t believe in them just playing for fun but for the betterment of their future,” said Muzhara.

“This is the third time we are holding this tournament following the two that took place in Bulawayo in the previous two years and we mean business. Nothing is going to stop us and we want to spread the tournament countrywide,” Muzhara said.

Last year Bulawayo-based New Orleans clinched the title and their chairman Tichaona Chikowo has promised to defend the title again this year.

“The title has to remain with us and we are going to give it our best shot,” said Chikowo.

The winner of the tournament will pocket $1 500.

Runners-up are assured of $1 000 while individual prize winners will pocket $100.