adminMPOPOMA High School were crowned Under-20 ORAP Zenzele Chevrolet “World Cup” at Gifford High School after thrashing Thekwane High 3-0 in the final.
The Southern region tournament attracted 12 boys’ teams and two girls’ teams namely Montrose High and Magwegwe High, drawn from the provinces in the region for the inaugural tournament which was designed to coincide with the global FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
The tournament was set up to empower and inspire young people to see sport as more than just recreation but as a tool for development.
The teams were grouped into four groups of three with each school given a name of any of the participating teams at this year’s World Cup, hosts Gifford were nicknamed Brazil but failed leave up to the South American football power house’s billing as they bowed out at the quarter-final stage after losing 0-2 on penalties to Cameroon (Milton High School) following a 2-all draw in regulation time.
Winners, Mpopoma, who were nicknamed Portugal, got their goals in the final through a brace from Amos Ncube and Bantu Rovers’ youngster Denzel Khumalo who also won the most outstanding and the golden boot awards. For their efforts, Mpopoma got a floating trophy, medals and two soccer kits.
All the teams that took part in the event went home smiling after receiving a box of soccer balls each, a soccer kit, and certificates for all players.
Mike Blatch principal dealer of Autoworld Bulawayo said the tournament was a success and they hoped to make it a national event next year.
“We had a good tournament today, we are looking forward to our next edition and we hope to take it to other regions of the country as well,” he said, adding that their major focus was soccer as evidenced by sponsorship package by Chevrolet to English Premiership side Manchester United.
Present at the closing ceremony was the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Andrew Langa, his deputy Tabeth Kanengoni Malinga and the Minister of Small to Medium Enterprises Sithembiso Nyoni who gave a vote of thanks by encouraging the youngsters to always have a role model in their lives.
Londile Moyo
Online Reporter