Soccer fest set for Gwanda in Copa finals

Fungai Muderere
JAHUNDA explodes!

All is set for this yearaï¿½ï¿½s national finals of the Copa Coca-Cola schools soccer, a premier grassroots tournament, which will be staged in the Matabeleland South provincial capital, Gwanda.

The tournament which has in the past unlocked ambitious dreams and possibilities of Zimbabweaï¿½ï¿½s and worldaï¿½ï¿½s football stars, will start on Saturday and end on Sunday.

Ex-Highlanders players Mkhuphali aï¿½?Mr Cooperaï¿½? Masuku and Jerry Sibanda,Aï¿½ who both hail from Gwanda,Aï¿½ will grace the two-day event whose theme is around the international premise of aï¿½?Taste the Feelingaï¿½?.

Girls and boys action will take place atAï¿½ 12 grounds that wereAï¿½ identified for use, these being two each at Gwanda High, Senondo Primary, and Saint Christopheraï¿½ï¿½s Primary while one pitch will be used at Jahunda Primary, Gwanda Secondary School, Pelandaba Stadium, Showgrounds, Joshua Mqabuko Polytechnic and Prisons.

Sobukhazi High will be Bulawayoaï¿½ï¿½s representatives in the Under-16 boys category. For the third consecutive year, Magwegwe High will carry the City of Kings and Queens hope when they do battle in the girls Under 17 age group.

Matabeleland South are going to have four representatives with Gwanda High and Colleen Bawn qualifying by virtue of being the host schools. The host province will have Thekwane (girls) and Mzingwane (boys) at the finals.

Tohwe and Sojini were boys and girls provincial winners for Matabeleland North to book their finals berth.

Chemhanza, who won the 2013 edition and 2014 boys editions also got the ticket to Gwanda after getting the better of Uzumba 1-0 in the Mashonaland East finals. They will be joined by Gotora in the girls section.

Devuli beat Tsvigwe 5-4 on penalties to represent Manicaland in the boys section while Nyamuru will battle it out in the girls category.

Chinhoyi High andAï¿½ Vimbai wereAï¿½ respectively boys and girls provincial victors for Mashonaland West. Guinea Fowl boys and Utongani girls are Midlands representatives.

Rujeko and Chipadze carry the hopes of Mashonaland Central in the boys and girls section respectively.

Last year, Rujeko went down to Dewure in a penalty shoot-out of a final match at Barbourfields Stadium. Masvingo will also have four representatives in the form of Paul Mahutu coached Dewure, Chidyamakono, RufaroAï¿½ and Pamushana.

For winning the last yearaï¿½ï¿½s edition Dewure walked away with a trophy and $6 500 richer while Rujeko picked up $5 000 for being runners-up.

The development saw Dewure pick up their second Copa Coca-Cola title after winning it in 2010 with their spot kicks from Audrey Maguche, Foster Munganasa, Prince Milanzi and Cardwell Chifamba while Shennon Chivasaaï¿½ï¿½s penalty kick was saved by Rujeko goalkeeper Tanaka Majaji.

Augustine Mudzani, Ishmael Nyamhi and Ashley Musarurwa converted for Rujeko while Bright Nhau and Beneficient Joseph missed.

In regulation time Chifamba, Maguche and Milanzi were on target for Dewure with Ronald Wadula and Nhau (brace) scoring for Rujeko.

Chemhanza won the third-place play-off after beating Prince Edward 2-0 and they were rewarded with $3 500 while Prince Edward got $2 500.

Twenty players were selected for the Zimbabwe Copa Coca-Cola Dream Team that took part in the Africa finals in South Africa this year.

Copa Coca-Cola continues to serve as an inspiration to young footballers to achieve their dreams through this renowned and respected soccer tournament by providing a global platform, camaraderie and opportunity for talented individuals.