adminLast year Mzingwane wrote their piece of history to become the first team from Matabeleland South province to lift the premier high schools football tournament, now in its 25th edition.
Team captain, Innocent Chifamba, scored the lone goal as they beat Pamushana 1-0 in the final at Mosi-O-Tunya High in Victoria Falls and the midfielder believes that he can repeat his fine performance again this year.
“We have improved from last year’s game and we have been working very hard so that we retain the trophy.
“I am confident because our team has largely remained unchanged and we have also worked on our weaknesses,” said Chifamba.
The Silver Jubilee edition of the Copa Coca Cola NASH tournament was officially launched at Mzingwane High yesterday with the sponsors once again injecting the US$6 500 for the winners while the runners-up will pocket US$5 500.
Winners in the girls’ competition will pocket US$3000 and Vainona aregoing in as the defending champions.
Speaking at the launch yesterday Coca Cola Senior Franchise Brand manager for Central Africa, Mona Karingi, said her company was proud to play a part in developing football in Zimbabwe over the years.
“Coca Cola in Zimbabwe is proud to have been part of developing soccer from the grassroots levels, attracting thousands of young schools children and developing them into solid footballers whilst involving their families and communities,” she said.
This year Coca Cola are celebrating the football tournament under their new campaign Crazy for Good.
“Nash and Coca Cola have enjoyed a long standing relationship through the sponsorship of the Under-16 boys and Under-17 girls for many years.
“This sponsorship was mooted with the idea of developing soccer in Zimbabwe whilst ensuring a healthy lifestyle among the youths.
“This tournament will be successful this year as it should be conducted in a transparent and objective manner that a team for Zimbabwe will be selected for a coaching clinic in South Africa later this year,” said Karingi.
Guest of honour at the launch, Provincial Education Director for Matabeleland South, Tumisang Thabelo, said the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture value the development of sporting talent in schools.
“The Ministry of Education would like to commend NASH for its careful choice of partners and a professional approach to the organisation of sports in high schools,” she said.
This year the tournament will be played under the new format where the top two teams go to the quarter finals.
Draw
Boys
Group A: Midlands, Mashonaland West, Matabeleland South (Mzingwane)
Group B: Manicaland, Mat North, Bulawayo
Group C: Manicaland (hosts Sakubva), Masvingo, Mashonaland East
Group D: Mat South, Mash Central, Harare
Girls
Group A :Harare (champions Vainona), Mat North, Mat South
Group B: Manicaland, Midlands, Mash East
Group C: Harare , Mash West, Bulawayo
Group D Manicaland , Mash Central, Masvingo
Online Reporter