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TSHABALALA-based Zebra Revolution, a junior football initiative by FC Platinum’s veteran striker Mkhokheli Dube, successfully defended their Fortune Fokoza Ncube Under-14 title edging Highlanders 3-2 last Saturday.
The tournament, in its second year, was played at Entumbane’s Esikwakweni Ground, drawing a number of football greats that included Ronald “Gidiza” Sibanda, Herbert Dick, Richard Choruma, Gift Lunga (Snr), Gift Lunga (Jnr), Highlanders technical manager Madinda Ndlovu, ex-Bosso coach Cosmas Zulu and veteran football administrator Ndumiso Gumede.
Having won the inaugural tournament last year, Zebra beat Ajax Hotspurs 1-0 in a semi-final match to progress to the final while Highlanders booked their place into the final after beating Entumbane Academy 3-1. Entumbane Academy went on to win 2-1 over Ajax in a third and fourth place play-off. For their efforts, Zebra Revolution went away with a trophy, kit, medals and five balls while the losing finalists, Highlanders, got medals and four balls.
Entumbane Academy and Ajax Hotspurs got two soccer balls each.
Zebra Revolution’s Mthandazo Nleya was named Player of the Tournament. He was given a full training kit and was afforded a chance to undergo a one-week trial stint with South Africa-based Sporting CP Academy.
Highlanders’ Zibusiso Sibanda went away with the Top Goal Scorer accolade after netting three goals with Zebra’s Mbongiseni Mathe scooping the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award.
Ncube, a former Bantu Rovers winger, who aims at developing junior footballers in Bulawayo through the contest, said they were grateful to all who supported this year’s edition.
In South Africa, Ncube is employed as one of the head coaches at Sporting CP Academy, an academy from Portugal which groomed Cristiano Ronaldo.
His career as a coach began in 2012 with Christian Saints Academy which is based in Harare and he worked alongside Peter Ndlovu in the national development side for the Under-14 in the same year. He worked as an assistant and coached at Arenel Movers Division Two outfit and joined ZRP Beitbridge Division One side as the head coach.
derick.khumalo