adminThe national finals will run from July 12 to 14 at Sakubva High 1 with 24 schools set to fight for honours in the boys Under-16 and girls 17-and-Under.
Each category will feature 12 schools and they have been grouped into four groups of three with the boys’ group A made up of defending champions Mzingwane, Ngezi Barracks and Zvishavane.
Gaza, Hwange and Gifford will battle it out in group B while Sakubva takes on Mwenezi and Chemhanza in group C.
The boys’ competition will be completed by Gwanda, Howard and Churchill in group D. In the girls’ section Vainona will take on Mosi-a-Tunya and Silonga in Group A while Sakubva, Matinunura and Rutanhira make up Group B.
Group C consists of Mbare High, Sodbury and Masocha. Rukweza, St Francis and Chidyamakono are in Group D.
Vainona are the holders of the girls’ title, having first clinched the title in 2011 when the girls’ tournament was introduced.
They successfully defended the trophy last year and if they defend the title for the third consecutive year they will keep the trophy, becoming the first school to achieve such a feat.
The defending champions’ head coach, Langton Kagwere, said preparations were in full swing, although they could not participate in the provincial finals last week.
“First and foremost we are the defending champions and we have been preparing for a long time.
“Unfortunately, we couldn’t play in the provincial games last week because we were told that as the defending champions we could not play but that did not affect us much because we play in the Harare provincial league.
“We had some of our team players in the Northern Central district and on top of that most of my players play in Division One for Cyclone,” said Kagwere.
Kagwere said although they were under pressure to defend the trophy, they were pinning their hopes on some of their players who have competed in the tournament before.
“I think it’s going to be an advantage but I always tell my players not to be complacent.
“Despite that they won it before, every year we try to do the best.
“It’s going to be the Silver Jubilee and it’s going to be big and important.
“About the ability of the team to defend the title it depends on various factors, that is, the type of opponents we are going to face and type of play on that particular day, but we are going to do it.
“Of course, pressure will be there because every team you play against wants to beat us because we are the defending champions but we have equal opportunities,” said Kagwere.
This year’s edition of Copa Coca-Cola is part of Coca-Cola’s global Crazy for Good campaign.
Online Reporter