Rusununguko, Chidyamakono crowned Copa champions
RUSUNUNGUKO High School from Mashonaland East were yesterday crowned Coca-Cola Under 15 boys national champions after they beat stubborn Pfupajena High School 4-2 in an exciting final match that was decided through a penalty shoot-out at a packed Trojan Mine Stadium.
The match had ended 1-1 in regulation time. Pfupajena, from Cheguti, was thrust into the lead by Danzel Simendi 10 minutes into the first half. Rusununguko, who played all their games one man short after the bulk of their players were vetted out, found the equaliser five minutes before half-time courtesy of Oscar Magejo’s wonderful strike.
In the second half action was swinging from one to the other keeping spectators at the edges of their seats.
After the winning goal eluded the two teams, headed for the lottery and Rusununguko had their goalkeeper Denzel Marufu to thank whose heroics between the sticks saw them beat Pfupajena 4-2.
“I’m happy for the boys. They did a very wonderful job. It was not easy contest but we managed to pull through after playing all our games one man short,” said Rusununguko head coach Eremu Joseph Madzinga.
For their tireless efforts, Rusununguko went home with $5 400, a trophy and gold medals.
The losing finalists got a prize money of $3 000 and silver medals.
The hosts Chipundura High School got $ 2 000 after they came out as the third best team.
Chipindura beat Gutu High School 6-5 after a penalty shootout in a third place playoff. The teams had played a one all draw in normal time. Gutu headed back home $1 500 richer.
In the girls’ contest, the Yekuai Chirumo mentored Chidyamakomo clinched their fifth consecutive Copa Coca-Cola title after edging Mamunyadza 1-0. Exciting Beatrice Machona scored the solitary goal that saw the Masvingo-based school writes its own Copa Coca-Cola history.
“I’m the happiest person on earth. We are grateful to our school authorities, parents and the business community of Masvingo for the support. This has proved that we a vibrant junior policy,” said the ecstatic Chirumo.
The Masvingo province giants got a prize money of $3 500, trophy and gold medals while the losing finalists Mamunyadza got $2 200 and silver medals.
In the third and fourth place playoff Mwenezi beat the tournament’s 2011 and 2012 championships Vainona High School 1-0. Mwenezi’s all important goal was scored by Letwin Hlongwane. Mwenezi and Vainona were awarded $1 600 and $1 100 respectively.
Meanwhile, 20 members of the boys and girls Dream Teams were selected by members of various media, a contest where Bulawayo’s Lobengula High got Fair Play award in the boys’ category. Lobengula were booted out of the tournament after they succumbed to a one nil defeat at the hands of Gutu in a quarter-final tie.
Mpopoma High School, who were carrying Bulawayo’s hopes in the girls section, found the going tuff as they failed to go beyond the group stages. Beitbridge based Tongwe High School reached the quarter stage in the girls’ category. It was a sad story for Somvubu and Tohwe who represented Matabeleland North in the boys and girls competitions respectively. The two schools failed to go beyond the group stages.