Mandava confident of victory

“We want to bring the cup to Midlands and it will either be us or defending champions Manunure,” Mandava’s coach, Ashini Sitambuli, said.
“It’s a pity that Gunea Fowl will not be there because we wanted to prove a point to them.”
Guinea Fowl and Mandava battled long and hard in a memorable semi-final of the NASH Under-17 boys’ tournament with the latter winning 5-3 after a penalty shoot-out.

Mandava goalkeeper, Arthur Maundi, was the hero with a double save in the lottery.
To prepare for that match, Mandava roped in the Shabanie technical team to help them.
This week the school brought in Shabanie coach, Luke Masomere, who has been training the boys at Maglas since Monday.

“We have corrected a lot of grey areas and we are grateful to Shabanie Mine Football Club for the services they have offered,” said Sitambuli.
Masomere said Mandava was a huge part of Shabanie’s future. “Shabanie Mine will never die as long as there is Mandava, Zvishavane and all the schools in the district around us,” said Masomere.

“Mandava are part of us and that is why they are training here at our stadium.
“It’s a pity that they approached us late as we could have assembled a team that could go places.” Mandava will be banking on the latest football ace from the Milanzi family, Jani Milanzi Junior, to lead their attack.

Jani’s father was a flying winger during his day at Lulu Rovers and Mhangura while his younger brother, Moses, also made a name for himself.
Mandava’s utility player is Timothy Phiri, the son of former Mhangura and Shabanie Mine defence pillar, Gerald Phiri.

Other key players for Mandava are goalkeeper Washington Nkosana, Jackson Musaigwa, Shawn Mhlanga and Hilary Mapfumo.

With support guaranteed from the community, Mandava will be difficult to stop today. The other teams taking part are Chegato, Mnene, Mupangayi, Ascot, Chiodza, Gumunyu, Gukure and Batanai from Kwekwe.

Dombotombo, Matinunura, Chiona, Manunure, Denda, Bumbe and Cheziya High will battle for the slot to represent the province in the girls’ section.
Manunure are the defending champions in the boys’ section with Vainona the reigning queens in the girls.