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Raymond Jaravaza
THE annual Jonah Football Tournament, set to be played on Christmas Day at Nyabane Primary School in Bulilima, will this year feature six teams with R30 000 up for grabs.
The tourney, sponsored by South Africa-based businessman Jonathan Ndlovu, who is also a co-director at Zifa Southern Region league side Mainline, is in its sixth addition and the organisers have resolved to add two more teams from last year’s four to improve competition in the annual event.
Nyabane Azzuri, Plumtree Chiefs, Mainline FC and Emganwini Celtics booked places in the competition in the first round of qualifiers played last month.
Nzuzo FC of Bulawayo together with rural Plumtree side Manda FC booked their ticket to play in the tourney during the last round of qualifiers played in Bulilima a fortnight ago.
“The tournament has been running for the last four consecutive years and we only saw it fit to add more teams in addition to increasing the prize money so that the community can spend Christmas Day watching entertaining football.
“Individual awards for outstanding players such as the player-of-the tournament, top-goal-scorer and best goalkeeper have also been set aside in addition to two soccer kits that will be given to the winners and runners up,” said tournament organiser Proud Monga.
Last year Nyabane Azzuri won the annual tournament after beating Emganwini Celtics 2-1.
To add excitement to the event, Bulawayo-based former footballers, who include Herbert Dick, Richard Choruma, ex-Mighty Warriors midfielder Nomsa “Boyz” Moyo, Bantu Rovers’ manager Wonder Mpofu — playing under the Bulawayo Football Legends banner — have been invited to play against Plumtree Legends.
Online Reporter