The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
FOOTBALL fans are in for a treat today at Luveve Stadium with three matches lined up with the main game being the contest for the John Landa Nkomo Trophy.
Zifa Southern Region Division One runners up Talen Vision take on ZPC Hwange in the final of the Liquor Hub-sponsored cup while Division Two sides, Quality Foods and Chicken Inn battle it out in the Provincial D2 Cup while Division Two League winners Bulawayo Chiefs square off against Division Three winners, Bulawayo City.
Talen Vision beat Bulawayo City 2-1 on Thursday in the semi-final of the four-team tournament to book a place in the final and ensure their prospects to retain the trophy remains high while ZPC Hwange had the better of Makomo beating them 2-0 in a Hwange derby played on the same day.
Winners of the tournament are set to walk away with $3 000 while the losing finalist takes home $2 500 and the losing semi-finalists will pocket $2 000 each. The tournament is sponsored by Bulawayo South Member of Parliament and Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister, Raj Modi through his Liquor Hub entity.
Southern Region board member, Fiso Siziba said they want to create a festive atmosphere as they bring the season to a close.
The games will be the last matches of the season.
“Entrance to the stadium will be free and we are hoping people will come out in numbers to watch the team. Action will start in the morning at 10am with the first match of the day and will culminate in the final of the John Landa Nkomo trophy.
“We are also finalising plans to rope in entertainment and make it a big family day, to ensure families come out and spend the day together watching football,” said Siziba.
The Provincial Cup that pits Quality Foods and Chicken Inn will see the winner walking away with $4 000 while the losing finalist takes home $2 000 and the losing semi-finalist will be given $1 000 each.
Siziba said the match between City and Chiefs is meant to assess their preparedness for playing at a higher level as both teams have been promoted to Division Two and One respectively.
The league will also take the chance to crown the teams for winning their league championships.
Meanwhile nomination process for the Southern Region Soccer Stars has been set in motion with nomination forms being dispatched to teams, and coaches will select the best 11 who will be crowned next Sunday.
The crowning ceremony will see the announcement of the soccer star of the year and honouring the top goal scorer, coach of the year and best goalkeeper along with crowning of the league champions, Bulawayo City FC.
