The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda in Esigodini
PETERHOUSE picked up their third consecutive Conference of Heads of Independent Schools in Zimbabwe Under-20 soccer title with a 4-2 on penalties victory over Falcon College in a match which had concluded 0-0 in normal time.
Falcon College created the best goal scoring opportunities in the first half, Gareth Chivasa choosing to be stylish when facing goal while skipper Tadiwa Mhinga and Lungile Sibanda were both denied by some superb goalkeeping by Edmore Mawere. Sibanda was shut out by Mawere again in the second half.
In the end, Falcon College were made to regret those wasted chances when they fell short on penalties. Munashe Mandaza, captain Pfupajena Huni, Kudzo Chiwara and Mawere were on target from the spot for Peterhouse. Bhekumuzi Ndlela as well as Taurai Tugwete converted their spot kicks but Sibanda and Nyasha Mupedza had their penalties saved by Mawere.
Peterhouse coach, Clifford Tswatswa said when they lost 2-1 to Falcon College at the beginning of June they discovered that they went down through quick opposition on the wings so they had to make sure that they shut them down.
“We came here focusing on doing this, we thought maybe it wasn’t going to happen but as we moved into the quarter-finals, semi-finals we could feel it and its exciting, it’s great, it’s good for my boys, they worked hard for it,’’ said Tswatswa.
On what their formula was to winning the competition for three years in a row, Tswatswa, the young brother of renowned goalkeepers coach Richard said hard work and sending their team on tour to South Africa where they spent 10 days at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria. On their way to being crowned champions, Peterhouse, defeated Westridge, drew 1-1 with Kyle College, clobbered South Eastern College 3-0 in the group stages. In the quarter-finals, Peterhouse won 1-0 over Goldridge with a similar score line over Midlands Christian College in the last four.
Saint John’s College, beaten 1-0 by Falcon College in the semi-finals overcame MCC 2-0 in the third place playoff. The top three teams were presented with their medals by Falcon College headmaster Reginald Querl .
It was no surprise that Peterhouse dominated when it came to individual accolades, Mawere walked away with the best goalkeeper award, Mandaza took the top goal scorer prize while Tinotenda Motsi was the best defender. Mhinga of Falcon College was voted the player of the tournament with Tiwirai Kadzungure of St John’s College the most outstanding midfielder.
Recently appointed national Under-17 coach Moses Chunga, Bhekimpilo Nyoni of BN Academy as well as United Arab Emirates based former Highlanders and Zimbabwe Warriors defender Noel Kaseke were some of the high profile football personalities who attended the tournament. Fourteen independent schools from all over the country took part in the two day competition. A squad of 32 players was announced yesterday for a tour that is planned for later on in the year.
— @Mdawini_29
