The Sunday News
FOUR-time national champions Mzilikazi High School will be out to preserve their status as Bulawayo kingpins at the Copa Coca-Cola provincial finals on Friday.
Mzilikazi, winners of the most prestigious schools football competition in the country in 1989, 1993, 1999 and 2001 were the best team in Bulawayo last year, a feat that earned them a ticket to the national finals in Harare where they subsequently reached the semi-finals and also won the Fair Play Award.
Mzilikazi won the tournament when it was still an Under-20 competition and have since struggled for a repeat act since the format was changed to involve Under-16s until their conquest at provincial level last year when they dethroned Gifford as Bulawayo champions in their own backyard with a 2-0 triumph in the final.
With most of their youngsters now part of the Highlanders and Bantu Rovers junior set up, Mzilikazi have a huge advantage over their competitors.
Devine Khumalo, chosen for a Copa Coca-Cola training camp in Lindlow, Germany at the end of next month is already one of the star players at the Highlanders Under-16s.
Khumalo, Gift Lunga junior the son of former Highlanders player of the same name, Nkosilathi Dlamini, Mthokozisi Msebe, Brendon Mthethwa, Andrew Mbeba and Tinashe Nechironga, complete what looks like a Mzilikazi juggernaut.
Gifford have the comfort of being the host school for the national finals set for 17 July to 19 July while Mzilikazi have a better chance of making it to the national competition.
For the girls, Magwegwe are the defending champions in the girls’ category where Emganwini will enjoy the hosting rights for the national finals.
Head in charge of football in the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province John Nzima confirmed the tentative venues for the provincial finals, Gifford for the boys and Mzilikazi for the girls.
