The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
MAGWEGWE Stars earned the sole ticket to the Zimbabwe Women Football national league when they were crowned champions of the Southern Region Division One Women’s League that ended a fortnight ago.
The team comprising mainly school girls from Magwegwe High School, surprised all and sundry with their committed display garnering 27 points from 12 games and were followed by ZRP Bulawayo Central who finished on 26 points while Black Boots were third with 23 points.
Magwegwe Stars chairman Lungile Ndlovu said their first half performance convinced them to fight harder and win the title, although when they started their only aim was to stay in the league.
“We started off well but we never saw ourselves winning the league because we felt it would be useless as we would not be able to finance our campaign in the national league but later when we realised we had a chance of clinching the title we had a chat with the school authorities and they encouraged us to go for the championship saying they will assist us secure funding if we are promoted,” said Ndlovu, whose side was assembled in 2012 with the sole aim of grooming talent and improving their performances in school competitions.
Magwegwe managed to do well in school competitions after featuring in national finals of girls’ football competitions since 2013 when they claimed the semi-final spot in the Nash finals held in Bindura.
In 2014 and this year, the school made it into the prestigious Copa Coca-Cola finals, walking away with a bronze medal last year while in this year’s edition they were sixth.
The school team is coached by Simbarashe Tinago, who holds a Level Four coaching certificate while his assistant, Martin Makechenu has attained a Level Three badge.
Chief striker Buhlebenkosi Zulu, goalkeeper Fidelis Mthombeni, utility player Beatrice Dube and Colleta Chawira, were some of the outstanding players.
“We are looking forward to competing at national level next year and we are searching for sponsors at the moment. We are already in talks with one company interested in funding us and we hope we reach a deal with them,” said Ndlovu.
Zifa Southern Region chairman Takundwa Chimundiya said they were glad their league flowed smoothly with all the teams fulfilling their fixtures although five teams withdrew from the league.
“We started off with 12 teams and five dropped out but I am glad the remaining teams showed commitment despite the difficult operating environment and played all their games. The economic situation is difficult especially for a league with no rewards but the teams managed to fulfill all their fixtures ensuring the smooth running of the league,’’ said Chimundiya.
“I would like to extend my hearty congratulations to Magwegwe Stars for winning the league and wish them all the best in the national league.”
He, however, expressed concern with the state of the national league where confusion at the top still reigns following the suspension of ZWF chairlady Miriam Sibanda and the subsequent creation of another league.
“Regions continue to work well and churn out teams for promotion but we have a problem at national level, so we are not sure what will happen next year but we hope space will be provided for the teams that won championships in their respective Division One leagues,” he said.
Hearts of Oak FC, Street Set, Sobukhazi and Umguza Rollers are the other clubs that made up the Southern Region League.
