adminNgqabutho Moyo Sports Reporter
The Under-14 Roosters Cricket Club team is set to travel to South Africa from August 7-17.
They are the defending champions of the Dumisani Ntini tournament which they won last year.
The tournament is sponsored by Bongani Ntini, a product of the Roosters Cricket Club. Ntini is based in South Africa and owns the B Ntini Cricket Academy in Johannesburg which was formed in 2012.
Team manager Zibusiso Netha confirmed that the team was ready to travel for the 10-day competition in South Africa and were awaiting approval from the Zimbabwe Cricket Board.
Four junior cricketers who won individual accolades at the invitation tournament held in Johannesburg’s Houghton Park, South Africa, last year are still part of the same team set to embark on the journey in the hope of defending their pride.
Players like Muziwandile Ndlovu from Falcon College, selected as the tournament’s best batsman, Tatenda Chinyemba, the best fielder’s accolade and Michael Musiwago from Christian Brothers College who scooped the top wicketkeepers’ award, are expected to lead the team to victory at the tournament.
“Most of the team’s players who turned out for Success Sports Academy’s Under-13 cricket side which competed last year were part of the squad that won the Declaration Cricket tournament trophy after beating Panthers by 30 runs in the final. So we are hoping the boys will bring the shield back home again this year,” said Netha.
Trevor Phiri, the team coach said:
“The boys have been training very hard and are ready to go and play hopefully bringing the final shield back home.”
Success Sports Academy is under Roosters Cricket Club which is a member of the Bulawayo Metropolitan Cricket League and affiliated to Matabeleland Tuskers Cricket Franchise.
Netha also appealed to individuals and the business community to come forward and sponsor the initiative.
derick.khumalo