Chronicle Editor
Nkosilathi Sibanda
SCHOOLS’ football powerhouse Mzilikazi High booked a ticket to the finals of the National Association of Secondary School Heads (Nash) Proton-Surrey 20 and Under boys’ tournament, after beating Founders High School 4-0 at Gifford on Friday.
The national finals of the tournament are set to be held in Bulawayo on October 6 to 7.
Mzilikazi had right from the start of the group stages of the Bulawayo championships, lined up a team that showed class, good technique and tactical discipline on the field. So composed were the players, in what proved that the school has long been perfecting its team for the tournament.
The winners got the better of a resilient Sobukhazi in a Mzilikazi derby in the semi-finals, by winning 1-0. They had passed through the group stage without losing a game. The losing finalists, Founders High might as well find solace in that it was the first time they reached the final stage of the competition in their history. They had to push through to the last game having beaten St Bernard’s 1-0 in the semis.
At the third place play-off, Sobukhazi beat St Bernard’s High 5-4 on penalties after the match had ended nill all at regulation time. Mzilikazi High coach, Khonzani “Mboma” Ncube was over the moon. He said what made their triumph an easy one, was that fact that they faced little competition.
“Right from the zonal stage up to now, I must say our players did well. We prepared with all our might to get to the national finals. To be honest, there was very little competition that came our way but, that is not to say our opponents were not prepared enough. The only school that gave us a challenge was Sobukhazi High,” he said.
Ncube is hopeful that they will win the nationals.
“Our aim is to win this tournament. I have been with these players for almost six years. We are a development side and that puts us in a position where we are able to monitor their play and guide them accordingly to mature with skill in the game.”
The Founders High co-coach Mqondisi Ncube said while they felt sad over losing the final, they recorded an achievement.
“Founders High School obtained the greatest achievement in our football history. We managed to qualify for the first time to a final, which makes it a great result for the school.
“What we have done is that we showed other schools that it can be done,” said Ncube.
Founders High School player Ashley Dube was named as the player of the tournament.
Elsewhere, in Matabeleland North, Hwange High School will represent the province after beating Manjolo 1-0. Cresta College of Gwanda were crowned champions of Matabeleland South after Filabusi High School 4-0. Preparations to host the tournament are in full swing according to the headmaster in charge of football in Bulawayo province, Christopher Dube.
“We are looking forward to a great tournament next week on Friday and Saturday. We are ready to welcome all the country’s provincial representatives in the city. All we can say is that may the best team win,” he said.
Online Reporter