Mpopoma emerge Byo Nash champs

Senior Sports Reporter
MPOPOMA High School are the Bulawayo winners of the National Association of Secondary Heads boys Under-20 soccer competition following their 1-0 triumph over Mzilikazi in the final played at Gifford last Friday. A first half penalty by left back Bongani Lupenga, awarded after Ashley Mapasure was brought down in the box, was all Mpopoma needed to become the provincial champions.

Coached by Babson Ngwenya, Mpopoma, knocked out at the group stage of the provincial competition last year, will now represent Bulawayo at the national finals set for Gloag High School in Bubi District, Matabeleland North from Friday to Sunday.

On their way to the final, Mpopoma earned a hard fought 1-0 victory over Milton in the semi-finals while Mzilikazi trounced Maranatha 5-0 at the same stage.
In the final, Mpopoma were far the better side and could have won by a huge margin had they converted their goal scoring opportunities.

Milton finished third by virtue of conceding the least number of goals in the semi-finals.
For finishing first, Mpopoma received gold medals, Mzilikazi took home silver with bronze going the way of Milton.
Malborough defeated Chemhanza 3-0 in last year’s final staged at Prince Edward School in Harare.

Population Services International bankrolled the tournament last year but withdrew their benevolence this year.
Nash head in charge of soccer Albert Mucheka confirmed that PSI Zimbabwe had withdrawn their sponsorship and a grouping of headmasters will fund the tournament this year.