Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze, Zimpapers Sports Hub
MPOPOMA Sports Academy (Mposa) announced themselves with real force at the Caf Under 17 Girls Integrated Football Tournament after crushing Otjiwarongo Sports Academy of Namibia 12 to 0 at Ngoni Stadium in Norton. It was the kind of start that set the tone for a week in which Zimbabwe’s youngsters want to prove they belong on the regional stage.
The tournament brings together eight leading clubs and academies from across the Cosafa region. Zimbabwe are represented by Mposa, the development arm of Zimbabwe Women’s Premier Soccer League outfit Mpopoma Queens. South Africa sent Mamelodi Sundowns and Gauteng based Refilwe FC, while Namibia have Otjiwarongo Sports Academy and Okakarara Golden Ladies. Aguilla Girls FC carry Zambia’s hopes, Luwinga Academy represent Malawi and Lesotho are in through Lishoeshoe.
Mposa head coach Evans Neta said the win reflected the work his players have put in and the growing belief around the women’s game.
“I give credit to the girls for such a performance; this is what any coach would want, especially when you play at home at a time when we are trying to popularise the women’s game,” he said.
“The outstanding performances did not come as a surprise because the girls have been doing well in training and what they did here was a mere replication of what they do in training. The goals were a big message, which speaks to our intentions as an Academy and the calibre of players we want to produce.”
Four of Zimbabwe’s goals came from Chiedza Khumalo, who walked away with the Player of the Match award after a commanding display. The youngsters produced their performance under the watchful eye of Zimbabwe Football Association president Nqobile Magwizi, his executive and Caf representatives.
Their match followed an opening fixture in which Mamelodi Sundowns beat Luwinga Academy 3 to 1. Munashe Mugwara, a promising Zimbabwean youngster, stole the spotlight and was named Player of the Match, sparking calls from fans who hope to see her in national colours soon.
Coach Neta felt the accolades reflected the strength coming through in the country’s junior ranks.
“We have so much talent in Zimbabwe and the fact that it is only Zimbabweans who were crowned from the two games speaks volumes,” he said.
“The girls are good and with that potential I expected them to score a lot of goals, especially Khumalo. You can see that they have goal scoring instincts, Khumalo could have scored even six, just that they are still young and need to correct one or two things to refine their art.”
Mposa face Luwinga Academy this afternoon and will try to keep their momentum going as they look to make another strong statement.
The Caf Gift Under 17 tournament was launched last year to give clubs a stage for age group competition that mirrors the pathways already available for national teams. Caf has placed the rise of women’s football at the centre of its development work and this event is meant to expose young players to tougher opposition while encouraging investment.
“The Caf Gift U 17 tournament was created to fill an important gap in women’s football,” said Caf Head of Women’s Football, Meskerem Tadesse Goshime. “It aims to offer girls under the age of 17, who often play in senior leagues, an opportunity to compete amongst themselves, in their own age group. The tournament also stimulates investment in women’s football at the level of national clubs and associations. The ultimate goal is to see more African countries participate in similar competitions as part of regional development, so this tournament is a starting point for the expansion of girls’ competitions throughout Africa.”
Today’s fixtures
Otjiwarongo Sports Academy vs Mamelodi Sundowns (12:00 pm) Mpopoma Sports Academy vs Luwinga Academy (15:00 pm)
