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MANICALAND representatives in the 2015 edition of the Copa Coca Cola Under-16 boys and Under-17 girls’ soccer tournament held in Bulawayo failed to rise to the occasion when it mattered most and only the girls’ representatives — Nyamauru — managed to go beyond the group stages of the competitions.
Instead, it was Msasvingo Province that ruled the roost with their representatives, Dewure for boys and Chidyamakono for girls scooping this year’s boys’ and girls’ titles.
Dewure High School were crowned the Under-16 boys champions after beating Rujeko High of Mashonaland Central 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.
Chidyamakono from Masvingo Province also won the girls’ title for the third consecutive year meaning that they have the Copa Coca Cola girls’ championship trophy for keeps.
Dewure walked away with a trophy and $6 500 richer, while Rujeko picked up $5 000 for being runners-up.
The exciting match had ended in a 3-3 deadline in regulation time.
Dewure picked up their second Copa Coca-Cola title after winning it in 2010.
To get to the final, Dewure accounted for last year’s champions, Mashonaland East’s Chemhanza 3-0 in a penalty shoot-out lottery in the semi-finals after a 0-0 deadlock in regulation time, while Rujeko beat Harare’s Prince Edward 1-0.
Chemhanza won the third-place play-off after beating Prince Edward 2-0 and they were rewarded with $3 500, while Prince Edward got $2 500.
Evans Dambo of How Mine of Matabeleland South, who fell away in the group stages, got away with the top goal scorer award with Elson Diweha of Midlands’ Guinea Fowl who got three goals each.
They got $100 each.
The player of the tournament was Wadula of Rujeko who also got a prize of $100, with Jinjihad Murevanomwe of Chemhanza also getting $100 for being named the goalkeeper of the tournament.
Gifford High, the host of the boys’ finals were awarded $1 000 with Dewure coach, Mahutu getting $200.
Twenty players were selected for the Zimbabwe Copa Coca-Cola Dream Team that will take part in the Africa finals in South Africa next year.
Copa Coca-Cola Dream Team:
Ishmael Nyamhi, Midian Chidavhu, Ashley Musarurwa, Ronald Wadula (Rujeko), Rodwell Manhungo, Hagiazo Magaya (Prince Edward), Mongameli Tshuma (Mpopoma), Douglas Mapfumo, Hazard Dube, Jinjihad Murevanomwe (Chemhanza), Takudzwa Masiya (Nemakonde), Joe Moyo (Guinea Fowl), Prince Milanzi, Foster Munganasa, Cardwell Chifamba (Dewure), Tafadzwa Dhliwayo (Gifford), Partson Phiri, Evans Damba (How Mine), Shepherd Maphigo (Bernard Mizeki), Xesha Ndlovu (Tsholotsho)..
Online Reporter