The Sunday News
Simba Jemwa, Sports Reporter
TEN teams from the Zifa Bulawayo Area Zone Soccer League teams that went into the hat last Thursday for the draw of the 65th Townshend and Butcher Trophy go head-to-head at Barbourfields Outside Grounds today.
The teams comprise Unity Village, Laprotonas, Mpilo United, Nga Chronicle, Titans, Suburbs, FC Stars, Third Avenue, Safeguard and Golden Stars and will fight it out for the tournament which has not been held for two years due to the global Covid-19 pandemic.
Originally the tournament was competed by affiliates only, but it has now grown to include Area Zone teams that are affiliated to Zifa (Bulawayo Province).
The annual event’s sponsor,
Mr Peter Leondios
s said his company was delighted to be sponsoring a historic 65th instalment of this tournament.
“While the tournament provides a great platform to develop our youth in the sport of football, it is also exciting that from this competition projects that will sustain soccer will be built and have been built over the years. Part of the role of this tournament is to identify talent and streamline it towards the professional ranks,” said Leondios.
Bafa acting chairman Alan Ncube said over the years the performance of teams during the tournament showed the province could produce quality players.
“Bafa has been a partner in this tournament for the past 65 years and we see this as a perfect vehicle to harness talent through a proper developmental pathway.
“Through this tournament local players receive invaluable experience that will allow them to compete against players who are trained in some of the best academies and clubs in the country.
“It is only by exposing our players to international competition at a young age that we can succeed in our quest for our province to regain its glory as the main suppliers of talent for the Premiership and senior national team,” said Ncube.
“Every year that it has been held, the tournament makes a positive and telling contribution in our football.
“Since its inception, it has helped the country and Bafa in particular in unearthing some promising talent which are the future stars for our country. We urge all the communities in Bulawayo to support this great national development event.”
FC Stars captain, Philani Ndebele who has played in the tournament for 15 years and won it 11 times said they are looking forward to the tournament, stating that they beat Third Avenue 3-0 last week and they will be looking to deliver more this weekend.
Draw
Third Avenue vs FC Stars; Mpilo United vs Nga Chronicle; Safeguard vs Laprotonas; Unity Village vs Titans; Golden Stars vs Suburbs.
@RealSimbaJemwa
