Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo tourney draw today

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
THE second edition draw of the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo tournament for Southern Region Division One teams will be conducted at Homestead Conference Centre in Bulawayo this afternoon.

The cup competition is sponsored to the tune of $10 000 by Trukumb Mining Enterprises and has been changed from a top-eight to an invitational tournament.

The Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo competition is one of two knockout tournaments the Southern Region Division One league has retained together with the John Landa Nkomo Memorial Cup for the top four teams bankrolled by Raj Modi.

ZRP Bulawayo are defending champions of the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo tournament.

Musa Mandaza, the Zifa Southern Region chairman, said kick-off dates for the competition will also be announced at today’s draw.

“We’re having a launch and draw of the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo tournament on Friday (today) in Bulawayo. We have retained the same sponsorship ($10 000). Adjustments in terms of the format of the competition have been made; changing  from a top eight event to an invitational cup. Teams and dates for the tournament will be announced at the launch,” said Mandaza.

The sponsors invited European scouts to the tournament last year and six players from Bantu Rovers and Talen Vision landed deals in Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

The striking duo of 18-year-old Leeroy Munyorovi and DR Congo’s Patrick Kingambo (19) now ply their trade at Czech Republic First Division side Frydek-Mistek, while midfielder Tawanda Muchaya (22) is attached to Slovakia third-tier side SKM Nove Zamky.

Crispen Ncube and Njabulo Mpofu moved to FC ViOn Zlaté Moravce from Slovakia’s Supa Liga, while attacking left-footed midfielder Mbekezeli Sibanda plays for NSK Pichov in Slovakia’s third-tier league.

Reports suggest that Trukumb Mining Enterprises is making efforts to invite European scouts.

“The coaches that came from Europe last season were impressed by the talent they saw and the sponsors felt they should invite them again. They will scout for talent that will go for trials in Europe,” said a source. — @ZililoR.