Prime Rangers out to retain title

Takudzwa Chitsiga

Sports Reporter

PRIME Rangers Soccer Academy are confident of retaining the Prime Leisure Centre Under-21 Challenge football trophy in the 2024 edition at Allan Wilson School on Saturday. 

The tournament which, was last held two years ago, will see 10 teams battling it out for trophies, medals, and individual accolades. 

Prime Academy, Friendly Academy, Effenberg, DC Academy, Yadah U-21, Royal Oak, Black Rhinos, Cranborne, BN Academy and Twinmart Academy have been confirmed as the participating teams. 

Challenge Trophy chairman Samuel Horonga said they are expecting high-level competition. 

“We are taking this opportunity to showcase talent which is in our development league, we have good players,” Horonga said. 

Yadah Under-21 are leading the championship race going into the break on 18 points after winning all their opening six games. 

Twinmart are second, ahead of DC Academy on goal difference as they are both on 13 points.

“We are going to have the Challenge Trophy at Allan Wilson on Saturday during our mid-season break from the league.

“The Challenge Trophy allows the young players to showcase their talents.

“We have noted that there are no matches  in the Premier League, so we are inviting  scouts and some coaches to come and witness the tournament.

“We are happy that these tournaments play a huge role in developing future football stars.

“We are grateful to the sponsors for this opportunity they are giving to upcoming football stars. “We believe in player development and this exposure will go a long way in motivating our young players to keep working hard so that they can achieve their dreams of playing Premier League football,” added Horonga. 

Prime Rangers are under the guidance of former Premier League players Godfrey Moyo and Beavan Chikaka, who believe they are capable of defending their title despite facing a tough challenge from Yadah Under-21. 

After successfully hosting the tournament in 2022, Prime Leisure Centre through their Ruwa Foods Butchery, Prime Butchery, Prime Leisure Centre, and Prime Hardware and Agro Suppliers, will sponsor the knock-out tournament again this year.

When the tournament was last held, it was hosts Prime Academy who got the better of Effenberg, edging them 1-0 in the final.