Zim rule Southern Africa

Senior Weekender Reporter
ZIMBABWE were crowned the Confederation of Southern African School Sport Association  (COSASSA) champions after outsmarting three other countries in this year’s edition of the regional Under-14 boys soccer finals held in Lusaka, Zambia.

Hosts, Zambia, Namibia and Botswana are the other countries that took part in the competition.

In their first match of the tournament, Zimbabwe were held to a one-all stalemate by stubborn Namibia before they went on to beat Botswana 2-0.

Zimbabwe then dismissed Zambia 3-1 in the last encounter of the competition that was played on a round-robin basis.

Zambia settled for second position, while Namibia were third, leaving Botswana in fourth position.

In an interview upon their return, National Association for Primary Heads head in charge of soccer, Masimba Chihowa, commended the team for a spirited display that won the hearts and minds of all who witnessed the competition.

Chihowa, however, was quick to call on the powers that be at ZIFA to keep this squad intact and keep track of all the young players who did well in Zambia in order for the nation to entertain hopes of a formidable national team in future.

“I think the tournament was highly competitive. The mere mention of names like Zambia informs one of the talents involved. Given that the hosts had won their opening two matches it was difficult to play against them in what seemed to be the final match of the tournament.

“It is imperative to note that the local soccer fraternity should now find a way to keep this team intact. We need to keep track of these youngsters and let them grow up as a unit. This is the only way we can entertain hopes of building a formidable national team in future,” he said.

The talented youngsters who represented the nation, four of them from Manicaland — Maxwell Mhlanga of Chipinge, Three Brigade Primary trio of Artwell Marume, Panashe Maunde and Tatenda Kawema — conceded only one goal throughout the tournament and managed to score five.

Zimbabwe was also successful in netball where the nation scooped a gold medal, while volleyball boys and girls won silver medals.

In a separate interview, the team’s coach, Kiven Muyambo, also urged the responsible authorities in secondary schools to find a way of making these youngsters active upon enrolling in secondary schools.

“It is sad that in most cases these kids from primary school only get active in terms of soccer when they are at an advanced stage in secondary school. We should find ways of keeping them active even at From One level and give them enough time and a platform for competitive soccer,” he said.