adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
PRINCE Edward School and Seke 1 are this year’s Harare Province representatives for the upcoming Copa Coca-Cola football Under-16 boys and Under-17 girls national finals after emerging winners yesterday in the provincial finals.
Kudzai Saruwaka’s goal from close range in the second half was all Prince Edward needed to dismiss Glen View 2 High 1-0 in yesterday’s provincial final to book their place in the national finals set for Bulawayo next week.
On their way to the final, Prince Edward defeated Churchill 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out after the match ended 1-1.
It was the same story for Glen View 2 High, who won 4-2 over Lord Malvern on penalties after the match ended 1-1 in the other semi-final.
However, hosts Prince Edward proved to be the better team and emerged winners.
The competition in both the boys and girls categories was divided into three groups of three teams each and eventual winners Prince Edward emerged as the best runners-up in the boys section to join the three group winners in the semi-finals
Prince Edward coach Norman Taruvinga hailed his side for a good fight that saw them progressing to the finals.
“Obviously it’s delightful that we have won and we played a every competitive Glenview 2 side and they made it difficult for us.
“The semi-final was equally tough, beating Churchill in a penalty shootout and we are quite happy with that victory.
“The belief was there because we were playing a lot of football; I think we started in March. We were playing in the Champions League, a collection of Harare schools that got together, and we also played in the Junior League and winning here are the benefits.
“Going to Bulawayo for the national finals will obviously be tough, meeting other teams from all over the country, but we will stay focused and, hopefully, will get it right,” said Taruvinga
In the girls section, dark horses Seke 2 High defied all the odds to beat favourites Vainona 3-2 in a match they dominated.
Vainona have been participating in the competitions since the inception of the girls’ tournament in 2011 and won the national title twice before losing to Chidyamakono two years ago.
And yesterday they were the first to score, taking a 2-0 lead, with their first goal coming from Gracious Mageza and the second one was an own goal by Seke 2 High.
However, Seke 2 High striker Nyasha Mwamwadu scored a hat-trick to snatch a win for her side.
Seke coach Shingirayi Kutama said their qualification for the national finals was a huge achievement after losing in the provincial finals in 2013.
“With their physical fitness I knew we would come back. We lost in the semi-finals in 2013 and this is a big achievement for us,” said Kutama.
Seke 2 had beaten Mufakose 2 4-0 in the semi-finals.
The national finals will see 24 schools, including the defending champions and host schools, taking part in Bulawayo from July 17 to 19.
Chemhanza and Chidyamakono are the defending champions in the boys and girls’ section respectively, while Gifford and Montrose Girls High are the host schools.
Other provincial finalists:
Boys: Masvingo (Dewure), Matabeleland North (Tsholotsho High), Manicaland (Mutare Boys), Matabeleland South (How Mine), Bulawayo (Mpopoma), Mashonaland West (Nemakonde), Mashonaland Central (Rujeko High), Midlands (Guinea Fowl), Mashonaland East (Benard Mzeki College).
Girls: Masvingo (Mwenezi), Matabeleland North (Dinyane), Manicaland (Nyamuwuru), Matabeleland South (Selonga), Bulawayo (Magwegwe), Mashonaland West (Sodbury), Midlands (Manunure), Mashonaland East (Furamera).
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