Copa changes face of schools football
IN A country without vibrant junior football development structures, the Co pa Coca-Cola tournament has proven priceless to thousands of budding footballers within the school system as they have something to look forward to every year.
The annual competition is the largest tournament on t he schools calendar and has over t he years spread its wings to also include the girl’ s competition.
Eight of t he country’s 10 provinces have had their schools winning the tournament at some point.
Masvingo have t he bragging rights after having won a combined 13 t it les for both t he boys and girls competition.
The girls’ competition was launched in 2011.
They are fol l owed by Harare with 1 1 titles and Bulawayo are the third best province with four t it les won by Mzilikazi.
Masvingo and Ha rare are the only two provinces that have had their girls representatives, Vainona and Chidyamakono, winning the girls competition in its seven years of existence.
Masvingo province head in charge of football, Tranos Mbwirire, said it ’s because of t he schools’ dedication and hard work that they have managed to lift the trophy more than any other province.
“As a province we are so happy t hat we have managed to win t he tournament more than any other province in Zimbabwe, especially when it comes to the girls section, Chidyamakono has made us very proud,’’ he said.
“I believe that we give serious preparation for the tournament as a province and sheer hard work has made to help us win the tournament several times .’’
Some of the players that have emerged from the province include former Dynamos goalkeeper Art well Mukandi, a former Pam us hana High student. He has since retired f rom football. Hippo Valley, Dewure and Mashoko have also been crowned champions.
“Generally, everyone wants to win, t he tournament has opened some doors to t he young footballers. They have had opportunities to travel outside the country and get exposure,” said Mbwirire.
Ha rare province head in charge of football, Ropafadzo Matemavi, said there has been a huge improvement of football standards throughout the country.
“Harare is doing well as a province. But for the past two to three years we have not been able to win the trophy. But all the same we are happy with our performances.
“It’s different now f rom long back when you would say soccer is being played in urban areas ... so the fact that we have not been winning it ’s not t hat we are doing badly.
‘’ It’ s that there has been an improvement from the underdogs.
“The standard of football has improved nationally, it ’s no longer t he urban areas only, which is a good development ,” said Matemavi.
Churchill are four-time champions and Lord Mal vern won the tournament twice.
Vainona, in the girls section, Cranborne High School, Mt Pleasant and Dzivarasekwa 2 High are also previous winners.
Mashonaland East have won the title three times through Chem hanza,w how on twice, and Rusununguko.
Chipadze and Rujeko have won the title for Mashonaland Central while Matebeleland South’s Mzingwane also have t heir name on the winners’ list.
Midlands and Manic al and have also produced champions through Manunure and Mutare Boys High.
“The coming in of the sponsorship has improved the standard of the game because t here is something to play for and it motivates almost everyone. ‘’ Everyone is playing fromz on a ls. “We are also saying Coca-Cola is helping in the development of sport in the country because we catch t hem young, that’ s why now we talk of legends who came through this tournament ,” said Matemavi.
Matabeleland North and Mashonaland West are the only provinces that have not won the tournament either in the boys or girls section so far.