Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
GWANDA is ready to play host to the 28th edition of the National Association of Secondary School Heads (Nash) Copa Coca-Cola girls’ Under-17 and boys’ Under-16 national finals, with eight venues having been identified.
The games will be held on Saturday and Sunday.
Nash vice-president and Gwanda High School headmaster Arthur Maphosa said the Matabeleland South capital was ready and excited about the prospects of hosting such a prestigious football tournament that has produced some renowned football personalities that went on to shine on the national, regional and international stages.
Peter Ndlovu remains the biggest name ever to participate in the tournament when he was a pupil at Mzilikazi High School.
“As Gwanda, we are more than ready for the finals. We expect teams to be in Gwanda by 1PM on Friday because vetting starts an hour later,” said Maphosa.
He said the teams, which will play in a round-robin format, will be spread across the eight identified venues.
According to Maphosa, host school Gwanda High has two fields, while there is one venue each at Joshua Mqabuko Polytechnic, ZRP New Camp, Mount Cazalet Primary, St Christopher’s Primary, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services and Pelandaba Stadium.
Host school Gwanda High have to summon all their strength in the boys’ competition as they are grouped together with former champions Chemhanza and Churchill High in Group D.
Bulawayo’s representatives Sobukhazi (boys) and Magwegwe (girls) are in Group A and Group B respectively, the same groups that have defending champions in both categories.
Pamushana will start as group favourites in the boys’ Group C.
Schools from Masvingo province ruled the roost in last year’s finals held in Bulawayo, going for gold in both the boys’ and girls’ championships.
Dewure High won the boys Under-16 title, while the girls’ Under-17 championship went to Chidyamakono High.
Girls Under-17
Group A
Rufaro (Masvingo), Chipadze (Mashonaland Central )and Vimbai (Mashonaland West)
Group B
Chidyamakono (Masvingo), Magwegwe (Bulawayo) and Sojini (Matabeleland North)
Group C
Thekwane (Matabeleland South), Mabelreign Girls High (Harare) and Gotora High (Mashonaland East)
Group D
Colleen Bawn (hosts), Utongani( Midlands) and Nyamauru (Manicaland)
Boys Under-16
Group A
Dewure (Masvingo), Devuli (Manicaland ) and Sobukhazi High (Bulawayo)
Group B
Mzingwane (Matabeleland South), Chinhoyi High School (Mashonaland West) and Tohwe Secondary School (Matabeleland North)
Group C
Pamushana (Masvingo), Rujeko High (Mashonaland Central) and Guinea Fowl (Midlands)
Group D
Gwanda High (hosts), Chemhanza High and Churchill High