adminPaul Mundandi in ZVISHAVANE
Manunure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
Guinea Fowl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
MANUNURE High School are the Midlands representatives in the Arenel Nash Under-17 national finals after they beat Guinea Fowl at Zvishavane High School yesterday.
It was a sweet revenge for the Kwekwe team who lost to the same team in the Copa Coca-Cola finals last week.
Liberty Masvaure was the toast of the day as he scored the winner in the 89th minute.
Jonathan Phiri found Masvaure on the left and the latter got past his marker, dribbled past the drawn out Gratitude Mususa before placing the ball into the empty nets.
The goal sparked wild celebrations amongst the thousands of fans who thronged Zvishavane Secondary to witness the football fiesta.
Victor Moyo, Justice Malunga Jonathan Phiri, Tinashe Murisa and goalkeeper Douglas Pikirayi were outstanding for Manunure as they kept the Gweru team at bay.
“We were equal to the task and I am happy that we made up for what happened with our Under-16 team in the Copa Coca-Cola Cup.
“We have been national champions in 2011 and we are not a small team.
“Qualifying for the nationals is everyone’s goal and to the province they must know that our hands are on the trophy and what is left is just to bring it home,” said coach Solomon Matsika.
Manunure went past Nyangombe (3-0), Cheziya (1-0), before losing to Chiodza after they fielded their second string as they had already qualified for the semi finals.
The team then beat Guruva of Mberengwa to proceed to the final.
“I am even warning the other teams that has already qualified that they might even going to find the going tough because we want to be the first school to lay our hands on the Cup,” said Matsika.
Harare and Bulawayo will be represented by Marlborough High school and Mzilikazi.
The national finals will be held at Prince Edward from July 31 to August 2 in a festival that is expected to parade Zimbabwe’s emerging teenage football talent.
Mzilikazi produced the legendary forward Peter Ndlovu.
Online Reporter