The Sunday News
LAST year’s losing finalists in the Copa Coca-Cola Under-16 boys’ football tournament Rujeko have a chance to make up for the 2015 disappointment after they booked their place in the final against Chinhoyi to be played at Pelandaba Stadium this morning when they overpowered two time champions Chemhanza 1-0 in the semi-finals at Gwanda High School yesterday.
Magwegwe kept Bulawayo’s hopes of bringing the girls’ trophy for the first time to the City of Kings alive with a 1-0 triumph over Vimbai which sent them to the final where they will go up against three times in a row champions Chidyamakono at the same venue this morning. Mitchell Joseph found the target for Magwegwe in the first minute of the match against Vimbai.
A first half strike by Rangarirai Kusotera saw Rujeko, beaten 4-3 on penalties by Dewure in the 2015 final at Barbourfields Stadium in a contest which had concluded 3-3 in regulation time book their place in this year’s decider. Coached by Hardware Chatora, the boys from Glendale in Mashonaland Central topped Group C which also had Pamushana and Guinea Fowl with four points.
The Malvin Magwaza-captained Rujeko beat one of the pre-tournament favourites Pamushana 1-0 then drew 0-0 with Guinea Fowl.
In the last eight, Rujeko conquered Bulawayo champions Sobukhazi 1-0 to progress to the semi-final. A few would have given Rujeko a chance against the Never Mhandu mentored 2014 and 2015 winners Chemhanza but once Kusotera struck that early goal, they held on for the win.
Chatora was of the view that they did not have it easy because their pool was regarded as being the group of death. He expressed his gratitude to the school’s headmistress, Witney Mabika for all the support she has given to the boys.
“From the beginning it was tough because it was regarded as the group of death where we were grouped against Pamushana, Guinea Fowl and we came out first in that group. It is a great achievement, we are really happy, I am finding no words to express my happiness, thanks to the head for her support, thanks to my fellow coaches who have given me great assistance. We are really hoping for a good encounter, we hope to win the trophy, we hope to do our best,’’ said Chatora.
What should give Chatora the confidence is the fact that their goalkeeper Tanaka Majaji did not concede any goals in the four matches that they played yesterday.
Mabika felt that for them to make it to the final for the second time in a row was something to be really proud of and is convinced that the boys will make up for last year’s disappointment.
Chinhoyi required penalties to overcome last year’s winners Dewure in a semi-final clash at Pelandaba Stadium with the team from Mashonaland West winning 4-3 after the match had ended 0-0 in fulltime.
Dewure settled for third place with a 1-0 triumph over Chemhanza in a bronze medal contest at Pelandaba Stadium.
Magwegwe will fancy their chances against Chidyamakono, a team they held to a 1-1 draw at the group stage. Chidyamakono, winners of the girls competition in 2013, 2014 and 2015 defeated Chipadze 2-0 in the last four to set up a final against Magwegwe.
Vimbai finished third in the girls with a 4-3 victory on penalties over Chipadze in an encounter that had finished goalless on normal time.
The tournament is being attended by current as well as former players of the game who include Mkhuphali Masuku, Nomsa Moyo, Bulawayo City chairman Jerry Sibanda, his coach Philani Ncube and United Arab Emirates based Noel Kaseke.
Meanwhile, Coca-Cola last Friday donated textbooks to Ntepe High School in Gwanda South District, a development which the world’s leading beverage company hopes will help achieve a higher pass rate at the institution.
Coca-Cola Zimbabwe market activation manager Vee Chibanda handed over the consignment of textbooks to the Matabeleland South deputy provincial education director Lackson Zanamwe at the school.
The donation was well received by the school’s headmaster Sifiso Masuku who expressed his gratefulness.
