adminMzingaye Sibanda Sports Reporter
THE Matabeleland South provincial Copa Coca Cola soccer finals will kick off today at Mzingwane High School. Taking part will be the Under-16 boys and Under-17 girls. The Under-16 boys defending champions Mzingwane High School will be looking forward to paving their way to the national finals in Mutare when they play host to the provincial games today.
Matabeleland South district champions from Matobo, Umzingwane, Beitbridge, Maphisa, Bulilima, Mangwe and Gwanda will be at the renowned high school.
Mzingwane High School coach Bekezela Mavundla said the defending champions are ready to host the games whose finals will be played on Friday.
“We are prepared to host the games tomorrow for both boys and girls, we are just waiting for the districts to confirm the teams coming to participate in the tournament,” Mavundla said.
Mavundla said he is expecting less challenge as the players from last year’s tournament are all eligible to play for the defending champions in the provincial finals.
“We are ready to defend our trophy as the pressure is on us, but I’m counting on the boys as we still have the same unchanged team.”
“So I believe it won’t be difficult for us to proceed to the nationals next month in Mutare,” said Mavundla.
Mzingwane are the favourites in the competition and expect to deliver for Matabeleland again this year.
The tournament aims to engage both young boys and girls in active healthy living and grooming talent at grassroots level for the future.
The Copa Coca Cola games were rescheduled to avoid a clash with the harmonised elections set for 31 July.
The national finals will be held from 12-13 July at Sakubva Stadium, Mutare.
Online Reporter