Chronicle Editor
Ricky Zililo in Plumtree
BEITBRIDGE district representatives Tongwe Secondary School won the girls’ Copa Coca-Cola Matabeleland South provincial title after beating former champions Mzimuni Secondary 4-2 after a penalty shootout at Dombodema Secondary yesterday.
Mzimuni had come into the tournament as favourites to lift the title and earn a ticket to the national finals that will be held at Chipindura High School in Bindura from July 21-22.
Tongwe, who were participating for the first time in the provincial finals, held their nerves after they held Mzimuni to a goalless draw after regulation time to knock out the former champions.
An elated Tongwe coach, Oscar Divhani Ndou, was full of praise for his girls and boldly declared that they were ready for the national championships.
“I’m just speechless and you saw how wildly the girls celebrated after beating Mzimuni because no one gave us a chance of going through to the finals. I’m happy for the girls because they’ve won the championship on their first attempt in the provincial finals. All along we’ve been bowing out at cluster level and I think hard work has finally paid off for us,” said Ndou.
On their way to the final, Tongwe drew 0-0 with JZ Moyo in their first Group A game before going on to beat Empandeni 2-1, their star striker Erita Zvenyika grabbing both goals.
In the semi-finals, Tongwe met the best runners-up at group stages Thekwane high and played to a 2-2 draw. The result was decided through a penalty shootout, which Tongwe clinched 4-2 to set up the final against Mzimuni.
Mzimuni’s route to the final saw them emerging top of Group C after darwing 1-1 with hosts Dombodema before pipping Gohole 1-0. Mzimuni then dismissed Bethel 2-0 in the semi-final.
Mzimuni, whose players’ ages were questioned, could not bully Tongwe’s players, who won admiration of fellow participants.
All the schools ganged up to support Tongwe in the final, as if to send a message to the officials for not disqualifying some Mzimuni players that looked over 16 years of age.
Matabeleland South Nash head-in-charge of soccer Paulos Ncube was happy with the tournament’s proceedings and defended their decision to allow Mzimuni’s players to participate in the provincial finals.
“They (Mzimuni) arrived late for vetting and had all their documents in order. Some felt the girls were older, but after going through their documents we let them compete. We’re happy for Tongwe and wish them well at the national finals,” said Ncube.
The boys’ provincial finals kick-off this morning at the same venue.
Former national champions Mzingwane High, Plumtree High, Dombodema, St Mary’s, Thokozani, Sabiwa, Matopo and Ntepe will all be out to earn the ticket for the national finals.
Girls’ results
Group A: JZ Moyo 0-0 Empandeni, Tongwe 0-0 JZ Moyo, Tongwe 2-1 Empandeni
Group B: Swazi 0-2 Bethel, Thekwane 1-0 Swazi, Thekwane 0-0 Bethel
Group C: Dombodema 1-1 Mzimuni, Gohole 0-0 Dombodema, Gohole 0-1 Mzimuni
Semi-finals: Thewane 2-2 Tongwe (Tongwe won 4-2 after penalty shootouts), Bethel 0-2 Mzimuni
Final: Tongwe 0-0 Mzimuni (Tongwe won 4-2 after penalty shootouts). — @ZililoR
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