Vusumuzi Dube
Nkosilathi Sibanda, Sports Reporter
ST Eric High School were crowned champions of this year’s National Association of Secondary School Heads (Nash) Proton-Surrey 20 and Under soccer tournament after beating Mzilikazi High School 1-0 in the final played at Barbourfields Stadium outside grounds yesterday.
Both teams made it to the last game, having displayed good football much to the delight of as many spectators that turned out to watch one of the biggest schools football competitions in the country.
The win by St Eric High of Mashonaland West spoilt it for the home team Mzilikazi High School which had a lot of support.
The school, fondly known by its other name, Mgandane, left the field knowing that they did well only to falter in the last hurdle as they were keen to add another football winners’ medal.
St Eric High School’s triumph was historic.
Their coach Farai Hanyani could not hide his joy.
“All I can say is that this win goes out to the boys. In fact it is for the whole school. We deserved this,” said Hanyani.
The Mzilikazi High School coach, Khonzani Ncube was disappointed.
“It’s a game of football you win some and lose others. It was either win or lose. We played well but, failed to convert our chances at goal. Reaching the final meant a lot to us as a school. We aim to continue doing well in upcoming tournaments,” said Ncube.
On the road to the finals, Mzilikazi High beat Cresta College of Matabeleland South 3-0 in the semi-finals, while St Eric pipped Hwange 1-0.
In the quarter-final stage, Mzilikazi beat St Collins of Mashonaland East 2-1 on their way to the semis.
St Eric High beat 2022 champions Goromonzi High 2-1.
In the third place play-off, Matabeleland North representatives Hwange beat Cresta College of Matabeleland South 3-0.
As part of their initiative to promote girls football, Nash organised an exhibition match pitting Mpopoma High and Mzilikazi High.
Mpopoma won 2-1.
Meanwhile, the guest of honour at the finals, Mr Thabani Sibanda, ecouraged schools to uplift standards of their sports competitions so as to help feed into national teams with talented and well groomed players.
He called upon sponsors to also consider supporting sport at grassroots level.
“If such sponsorship could cascade down to the grassroots, then we will catch them young,” he said.
National Association of Secondary School Heads (Nash) national head in charge of football, Tranos Mbwirire said they were happy to have organised a well run tournament.
“This is one of our best tournaments so far. We are happy to have gone through day one. The competition exhibited talent, that is what we aim for. We thank the football loving community of Bulawayo for the support throughout the weekend. Thanks to our sponsors, Proton-Surrey for the opportunity,” he said.
In attendance at the games that started on Saturday were football legends Zenzo Moyo, Gift Lunga Jr, Warriors assistant coach Bongani Mafu and former Highlanders star Graham Ncube.
Also gracing the last day of the tournament was Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) Normalisation Committee member, Sikhumbuzo Ndebele.
Online Reporter