Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
POPULARLY known as slug, a social game that has entertained many for years, table soccer is slowly gaining ground in Zimbabwe.
Yesterday, the country welcomed top table soccer players from Ghana for a tournament that will lay the foundation for the nation’s bid to host the 2026 Africa Table Soccer Championship.
Ghana will square up against Zimbabwe at Selous Hotel today.
Among the top players from Ghana include top ranked Isaac Sarfo, Raymon Eshun, Benjamin Amankrah and Obed Asafo.
They will face Zimbabwe’s own star players including Douglas “Macheso” Matambanadzo, Luke Ngwarati and Leonard Dzengerere and Sonny Sivare.
The Heroes tournament will afford Zimbabwean players a rare chance to be rated in Africa. Table soccer has been on the rise in Zimbabwe thanks to consistent sponsorship from a local company Betterbrands.
Last year, the Zimbabwe Table Soccer Association (ZTSA) held a successful national tournament in Harare which was attended by top players from across the country.
ZTSA president Coxwell Chigwana is convinced the coming of Ghana will change the face of local table soccer.
“This is huge, it’s a great opportunity to put the game on the world map,” said Chigwana.
“The visit by Ghana will ensure that some of our players are ranked in Africa and the world.
“By defeating Ghana, Zimbabwe will become one of the top 10 best table soccer playing countries in Africa.
“We are also laying a foundation to launch our bid to host the 2026 Africa Table Soccer Championship in line with our country’s sport and tourism strategic vision,” said Chigwana.
He added: “We have some good players in our team and we are happy because we have been promised sponsorship by Better Brands, who are owned by Mabvuku Member of Parliament Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya,” added Chigwana.
“Betterbrands are our all weather friends in terms of sponsoring us.
“They have single-handedly helped in promoting the sport’s transformation from a leisure sport to a professional sport.
“They sponsored our national championships back in April and they are now sponsoring the national team.”
