Chronicle Editor
Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter
IT will be a carnival atmosphere when the Morgan Foundation hosts the TMF Festive Cup football tournament at Phelandaba Stadium in Gwanda on 22 December.
Four teams from different regions will battle it out for the honours in what promises to be an exhilarating day of football.
The four participating teams are Jordan FC from Filabusi, Ajax Hotspurs FC from Bulawayo, Gwanda Pirates FC and Superstrikers FC, both from the host town.
The Morgan Foundation is a brainchild of Morgan Milton Nare, a Sports and Recreation Management graduate and a Caf Licensed grassroots coach at Northerns Football Club (South Africa), who seeks to give back to the community of Gwanda that nurtured him.
Speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub, Nare said his target is to contribute to the growth and development of the game in Gwanda. Apart from that, he seeks to foster wellness and community engagement.
Nare said the tournament will also be graced by former Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, Golden Arrows, Chicken Inn and Highlanders ace, Kudakwashe Mahachi. Also attending will be former Warriors international, Gilbert Banda.
One of the major themes of the tournament will be kicking out drugs and substances.
“I felt the need to help and support the upcoming football clubs that I was once involved with growing up, by hosting a tournament that will run for a day on the 22nd December 2024 at Phelandaba Stadium. The goal is to contribute to the upcoming local soccer teams by sponsoring them with the right and complete training equipment that will help them grow as they conquer in their respective competition/divisions.
“These teams will bring a different type of football to the people of Gwanda, which they will love and appreciate, also aiming at promoting wellness and community engagement, preaching the same language of eliminating drug abuse in our beautiful town. I have invited a good friend of mine, Kudakwashe Mahachi and the Zimbabwe International legend Gilbert Banda to be the guest on the day. I believe this will encourage mostly the upcoming footballers and bring joy to the community as a whole,” said Nare.
The forthcoming tournament is a dream come true for the Gwanda-bred Nare who has always wanted to give back to the community that shaped him to become the person that he is today.
“It has been a part of me for years. I really wanted to make a difference to my people. Moving to South Africa after I was done with school, coming here to study my diploma in Sports and Recreation Management and getting my Caf license, I noticed a huge gap. Whenever I go to Gwanda, I see the difference, so I took it upon myself to say, I work in the same office, I see these things and I am able to get them, so why can’t I come back and give back to my people. So the very best way will be covering a gap in football.“
This is our first tournament but it has been on my mind for years. I have been wanting to do something like this for a long time and I thank God for the ability and I am coming in December to execute that first tournament and first event. I am looking forward to it,” he said.
Nare also encouraged the people of Gwanda to come through in numbers and support their teams while also encouraging the fans, and players to desist from the culture of violence whenever things do not go as per their wish. Nare managed to rope in an elite referee that managed to serve domestic football in the topflight for over a decade, Nkosana Nduna to officiate the matches.
“To the people of Gwanda, come let’s support and cheer for our boys. It’s going to be a family friendly day so let’s come and support our boys. We are trying to lift the guys who still want to go professional, the guys who are still trying to make it in football in the best way we can. I am also preaching the same message that no to violence.
“We will have a veteran referee, Nkosana Nduna taking over all the games. He has been in charge of high intensity games like Highlanders versus Dynamos. He is a national asset and he is also from Gwanda so it is good to have him on board,” he said.
Matchers will start as early as 10am on the day.
TMF Festive Cup Fixtures:
Super-Strikers FC Vs Jordan FC (match one); Gwanda Pirates FC Vs Ajax Hotspurs FC (match two); third place play-off match (Loser Match one Vs Loser Match two); Final (winner match one vs winner match two). —@brandon_malvin
Online Reporter