adminRicky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
MAGWEGWE and Thekwane high schools will represent Bulawayo and Matabeleland South provinces at this year’s Copa Coca-Cola national finals in the girls’ category to be staged at Phelandaba Stadium in Gwanda from July 22-24.
Magwegwe High retained their Bulawayo provincial title by beating Sobukhazi High 2-0 in the final played at Gifford, with goals by Mitchell Joseph and Primrose Ngwenya.
This will be the Bulawayo champions’ third consecutive appearance at the national finals and they would be hoping for better fortunes in Gwanda following a flawless performance in the provincial finals.
Magwegwe emerged Pool D winners by beating Maranatha 3-0 and Townsend 1-0. They beat Masotsha 3-0 in the quarter-finals to set up a semi-final date with Sikhulile, which they overwhelmingly won 6-1.
Sobukhazi, who also play in the Zifa Southern Region Women’s League with Magwegwe, were in Pool B where they won all their games against Eveline (3-0) and Masotsha (1-0). They crushed Townsend 8-0 in the quarter-finals and overcame Mpopoma 4-2 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 deadlock in regulation time.
Meanwhile, Thekwane goalkeeper Tatenda Togara reportedly scored a spectacular free-kick three minutes from the end to send her team through to the national finals at the Matabeleland South provincial competition held at JZ Moyo High School.
Magwegwe and Thekwane now join Matabeleland North representatives Sojini, Nyamauru of Manicaland, Mashonaland West’s Vimbai and Gotora from Mashonaland East. Utongani of the Midlands, Chipadze of Mashonaland Central and defending champions Chidyamakono of Masvingo are also through to the national finals.
Today, Gifford and JZ Moyo will play host to the Bulawayo and Matabeleland South boys’ provincial finals.
Results
Pool A: Mpopoma 3-1 Sikhulile, Emganwini 0-1 Mpopoma, Sikhulile 4-0 Emganwini
Pool B: Sobukhazi 3-0 Eveline, Masotsha 0-1 Sobukhazi, Eveline 0-2 Masotsha
Pool C: Emakhandeni 0-1 Pumula, Entumbane 1-0 Emakhandeni, Pumula 1-1 Entumbane (Pumula won 3-2 on penalties)
Pool D: Magwegwe 3-0 Maranatha, Townsend 0-1 Magwegwe, Maranatha 1-1 Townsend
Quarter-finals: Mpopoma 2-0 Entumbane, Sobukhazi 8-0 Townsend, Pumula 0-3 Sikhulile, Magwegwe 3-0 Masotsha
Semi-finals: Mpopoma 1-1 Sobukhazi (Sobukhazi won 4-2 on penalties), Sikhulile 1-6 Magwegwe
Final: Sobukhazi 0-2 Magwegwe
Online Reporter