Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, [email protected]
GWAYI Valley Cranes director Christel Dube has described as fair the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup draw, which paired his Matabeleland North Area Zone League side against struggling Northern Region Division One outfit Marere FC.
“It is so motivating to the boys. It is good for our boys, they are a Division One team from the Northern Region.
“They are at the basement of the log and that on its own does not scare our young boys, it is motivating though we will not read much into that because they felled teams high up on the log to get to this stage,” said Dube, who also chairs the Area Zones League in the Southern Region.
His team booked a place at this stage of the competition after edging Central Region qualifiers Sunday Real Soccer of Beitbridge 2-1. The tournament brought together Area Zones and Division One to Three teams, who qualified through a transparent knockout format.
Dube is pleased that his side secured a home tie.
“We will take them to our dusty patches of Gwayi, esikwakweni and see what comes off it. Our boys are young and raring to go without anything to lose, reaching this stage on its own for them, they have branded Gwayi and
Matabeleland North and written their own piece of history which we are happy for,” said Dube.
The majority of Gwayi Valley Cranes players are under the age of 21, with many standing no taller than 1.65 metres.
Mpumelelo ‘Mbesuma’ Nkomazana, whose Mawabeni side secured the Bulawayo Province Division Two and Three ticket to this round, believes a fresh challenge awaits his players.
“A new challenge awaits as we begin our journey on the national stage.
“Your support has brought us this far, let’s continue the journey together,” said Nkomazana on the club’s social media page.
Mawabeni were drawn against Southern Region League side Aqua.
Formed earlier this year, Mawabeni have struggled in the league and currently sit at the bottom of the table despite securing qualification to compete at this stage.
Hwange District will be represented by Cheetahs, a newly established Division Two side based in the Dete area. Until last year, they competed in the Rhino Champions Cup League, which only attained Area Zone status earlier this year.
Cheetahs’ qualification highlights the abundance of football talent in rural communities, having overcome Division
Two favourites from the Zifa Matabeleland North Division Two set-up.
The club is based in Malonga, near Cross Dete, and was established several years ago at the initiative of Chief Charles
Nekatambe to promote anti-poaching campaigns as well as awareness against HIV, drug and substance abuse.
Cheetahs were drawn against Mashonaland East side Chatidhege.
Central Region qualifiers Chapungu will face MWOS Under-19s, while Matabeleland South Division Two outfit
Nottingham Estates take on Norton Big Boys FC.
Central Region League side Kwekwe United were paired with Deportivo La Murambinda.
Perhaps the standout fixture involving the lower-division clubs is the clash between Hwange and former Premiership side Green Fuel.
Hwange are in their third season in Division One and have shown signs of revival, underlining their determination to return to former glory by challenging for the Southern Region title.
Gwanda Pirates, coached by former Highlanders star Johannes Ngodzo, will come up against Northern Region side Harare City, led by Try Ncube.
Ncube also previously served as a coach at Highlanders.
The matches are scheduled to take place on 11 and 12 July.
First Round Draw
Cheetahs v Chatidhege, Chapungu v MWOS Under-19s, Nottingham Estates v Norton Big Boys, Masvingo Winners v Blackrock, Kwekwe United v Deportivo La Murambinda, Rusape Pirates v FC Oden, Jordan v Destiny Stars, Bluestones v Chilli, Scottland Juniors v Rosa Pirates, Buffaloes v Blanket Mine, Mawabeni v Aqaua Stars, Gwanda Pirates v Harare City, Gwayi Valley Cranes v Marere, Hwange v Green Fuel.
