Harare gun for Copa Coca Cola Mutare Boys, Nyashanu for NASH finals
HARARE Province head-incharge of football Ropafadzo Matemavi says they are going for the championship at the Copa Coca-Cola Under-15 boys and girls tournament in Bindura this month.
The province will be represented by Oriel Boys High and Vainona High at the national competition on July 21 and 22 after they emerged winners at the provincial finals on Saturday at Vainona.
Oriel Boys are returning to the national event for the second time after their maiden appearance in 2014 and Vainona are former champions in the girls category.
Oriel beat Marlborough 1-0 with Tinevimbo Madzitire on target while Vainona beat Glenview 1, 2-0.
Vainona missed last year’s national finals when they lost 2-4 on penalties to Mabelreign Girls High, who went on to reach the quarter-finals in Gwanda.
Matemavi said while Oriel’s victory came as a surprise, they were happy with the quality of representatives.
“The games went on very well. The level of competition and organisation was very high. We started in good time and the games also ended in good time.
“But, in the boys it was quite a surprise, nobody thought Oriel and Marlborough would end up MUTARE Boys High School and Nyashanu High will represent Manicaland Province in the NASH Under-20 volleyball national finals on July 21-23 at Regina Mundi High School in Gweru.
The provincial finals were held last week at Rusitu High School where ten girls and nine boys teams took part.
Mutare Boys High School dominated in Group A where they won all their games and proceeded to the semi-finals together with Hartzell.
In the other group, Nyashanu topped the group followed by Marist.
in the finals.
“There were big guns like Prince Edward and Churchill, but football is round and it can roll in any direction.
“We are quite confident as Harare that we won’t come back empty-handed. We are going to give people a run for their money,” said Matemavi.
Oriel reached the 2014 finals, but lost to Chemhanza and Matemavi believes they now know what to expect at that level.
“We knew it was going to come one way or another because we are investing, but we never thought it
Mutare Boys High beat Marist 2-0 and in the other semi-final Hartzell were 2-1 winners over Nyashanu.
Mutare Boys High went on to beat Hartzell 2-1 in the final to book their berth in the national finals where they will meet the top teams from the country’s 10 provinces.
In the girls’ category, Nyashanu dismissed Bonda 2-0 in the final.
Rusitu, Gava, who were the defending champions, Kriste Mambo, Rimbi, St Dominics, Hot Springs, St Davis Bonda, Avila High School and St Benedicts were among the schools in the girls’ category.
Mutare Boys High coach
was going to be so soon.
“We have a policy where we give some scholarships to good footballers at Form One, in every group we take about 10 and we try and develop that talent. So we thought it was going to be a fiveyear project, but we have already started reaping results. We are quite happy as Oriel,” Matemavi said.
Oriel and Vainona will join defending champions Rujeko and Chidyamakono as well as hosting schools Chipindura and Herman Gmeiner.
Chidyamakono have won the Charles Sakala said all the teams fought long and hard.
“It was not an easy road to the finals. We witnessed great volleyball and high competition from Hartzell School.
“We have always played against them in many friendly matches and in the league games, but it was a different game altogether,” he said. “We had to fight to win. “We also appreciate having the provincial league which is giving us an extra mile.
“The boys did not panic and I hope they will show the same composure when we will represent the province in Gweru,” said Sakala.
girls tournament four times since 2013.
Provincial Winners
Boys: Oriel Boys High (Harare), Takwirira (Manicaland), Kundayi (Mashonaland Central), Sabiwa (Matabeleland South), Lobengula (Bulawayo), Rusununguko (Mashonaland East), Tohwe (Matabeleland North), Pfupajena (Mashonaland West), Gorge Chipadza (Midlands).
Girls: Vainona (Harare), Mamunyadza (Manicaland), Rushinga (Mashonaland Central), Tongwe (Matabeleland South), Mwenezi (Masvingo), Mpopoma (Bulawayo), Parirewa (Mashonaland East), Somvubu (Matabeleland North), Sodbury (Mashonaland West), Guinea Fowl (Midlands).
stalled in recent years because of wrist problems, dropping as low as 10th in the world and not reaching a Slam final in almost three years before Melbourne in January.
He has looked close to his imperious best over the past few months, climbing back up to second in the rankings as a result.
However, this defeat means he has not reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals since losing in the 2011 final.
Nadal had not dropped a set in his opening three matches in SW19, but Muller represented a much tougher challenge than his previous opponents. — BBCSport.