Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
KATANGA Secondary School netball team from Chipinge produced a dominant performance at Mutare Girls’ High last weekend to be crowned the new Under-20 provincial netball champions for Manicaland.
In unstoppable form, Katanga swept through the tournament undefeated, recording a series of decisive victories that endeared the team with all neutrals in the terraces.
In the group stage of the competition, the impressive Katanga side blew past Nharira with a convincing 31-6 scoreline, before dismantling St Augustine’s High School 21-9.
As if that was not enough, the new Manicaland Under-20 netball champions made a meal of tournament hosts, Mutare Girls’ High, winning 28-4.
In the semi-finals, Katanga cruised to a 24-8 victory over Mweyamutsvene.
Hande High School from Buhera District narrowly beat Sakubva High 2 by just a solitary goal in the other semi-final.
The final encounter saw Katanga square off against Hande.
Katanga dominated Hande 49-24 to claim the championship.
Sakubva High 2 finished the tournament in third place.
School head, John Chisharu, extended his appreciation to the technical team and school administration for their support.
“I really want to express our gratitude to the technical team and all the stakeholders that enabled us to achieve this feat. It was a result of hard work put into the project by all those that were involved from day one, including the players, parents, school administration and School Development Committee. We are hoping that the girls will remain a unit and face any challenge in any possible inter-provincial competition. This is also something that deserves the attention of professional netball teams in the country for possible talent scouting,” he said.
The technical team comprised head coach, Aaron Makuyana, team mentor, Bongie Dube, team manager, Linda Ngadziore and sports directors, Peyisai Ndimandi and Talent Rakabopa.
Meanwhile, at the schools’ Under-16 football finals held recently at Mutare Boys’ High, Nyamauru High School clinched victory in both the boys’ and girls’ categories.
The double triumph secured their place at the national finals in Masvingo, where they will proudly represent Manicaland Province.
