admin
Sports Correspondent
THE long wait is finally over as the ‘Crazy for Good’ Copa Coca-Cola football fiesta roars to life at Sakubva High School in Mutare today.
Matabeleland South’s Mzingwane High School are the boys’ defending champions while Harare’s Vainona will defend the girls’ title.
Along the way there have been tears of joy as well as tears of disappointment as teams battled in the provincial finals for a place in today’s finals.
Heroes and villains emerged as boys and girls sweated it out in Zimbabwe’s premier schools football tournament which shaped great stars like the legendary Peter Ndlovu.
By the end of the finals on Sunday, stars will have been born who will don national colours for both the Warriors and Mighty Warriors.
All eyes will be on Mzingwane High School as the defending champions but past achievements count for nothing as previous tournaments have shown.
Highlanders Football Club secretary and former Mzingwane High student Andrew Tapela speaking during the launch of the tournament challenged the school to defend their title.
‘‘The boys managed to achieve what we failed to during our time at the school. When we lost the league title to Dynamos on goal difference last season, Mzingwane High School consoled me as the Copa Coca-Cola champions. I am now challenging the boys to successfully defend their title,’’ Tapela was quoted as saying during the launch.
Coach Bekezela Mavundla is ready for the challenge although he predicted a tough tournament for his boys as the defending champions.
‘‘We are ready to defend our title but it will not be easy as the defending champions because we are the team to beat. Our preparations have been very good since we got the friendly games that we needed. All the weaknesses in the team have been rectified and we are raring to go,’’ said Mavundla.
Any of the 12 teams can win the trophy as there are no underdogs or so-called big teams.
It is anyone’s game in the Copa Coca-Cola which makes it unpredictable and exciting as boys and girls showcase football skills in front of an appreciative crowd.
Dark horses Zvishavane High School, Ngezi Barracks, Gifford, Gwanda and Mwenezi may defy the odds and produce a winner in the boys’ category.
Zvishavane High School coach Jerryfanos Ndawi was bubbling with confidence after his team qualified for the finals boasting that they are ready for the grand occasion.
Only time will tell because Gifford who have been traditionally a rugby playing school and Gwanda who still remain unknown to their opponents cannot be counted out as serious challengers.
Sakubva High School will be banking on home support as the host school.
But if Sakubva don’t produce the magic on the field of play then they will need more than home advantage to land the prestigious trophy although their pool looks relatively easy on paper.
Churchill High School have churned out countless football stars in the past and their opponents can underestimate them at their own peril.
In the girls’ category it still remains to be seen if Harare’s Vainona can successfully defend their crown but sometimes it needs more than a miracle to do that.
Mbare, Sakubva and Chidyamakono of Masvingo are the schools that may pose a threat to Vainona’s title aspirations but Masotsha, Sodibury, Rukweza and Matinunura cannot be dismissed.
The sponsors Coca-Cola have done their job and now it is up to the schools to deliver on the field through producing top class football.
Boys Under-16 draw
Pool A: Mzingwane, Ngezi Barracks, Zvishavane High
Pool B: Gaza, Hwange, Gifford
Pool C: Sakubva One, Mwenezi, Chemanza,
Pool D: Gwanda, Howard, Churchill
Girls Under-17
Pool A: Vainona, Selonga, Mosi-Oa-Tunya
Pool B: Matinunura, Rutanhira, Sakubva One
Pool C: Sodibury, Masotsha, Mbare
Pool D: Rukweza, St Francis, Chidyamakono
Online Reporter
Londile Moyo