Lobengula, Mpopoma put Byo on Copa Coca-Cola national finals map
THE last time a school from Bulawayo won the country’s most prestigious soccer tournament, Copa Coca-Cola was way back in 2001 when Mzilikazi were crowned champions.
When Mzilikazi, winners of the inaugural tournament in 1989, dominated the competition, it was still for the Under-20 age group and no school from Bulawayo has ever won it since it changed to Under-16. This year, the sponsors, Coca-Cola decided to reduce the age further by making the competition for Under-15 for both boys and girls.
For such a province like Bulawayo, which has produced talented players who have excelled at national level, failure at such a tournament is hard to understand.
At this year’s national finals to be played in Bindura on Friday and Saturday, Lobengula as well as Mpopoma carry the hopes of an expectant province. Lobengula took the boys’ title with a 4-2 on penalties triumph over Mzilikazi in the final. A day later, Mpopoma recorded a 1-0 victory over Townsend to book a ticket for the national finals.
Lobengula coach, Joseph Mukanganise, whose school had never before qualified for a national soccer tournament likened their success as a typical rags to riches tale.
“It feels so great, this is the story that we always hear that it’s from rags to riches, I am so excited, we came here as underdogs and we actually pulled up a shocker. We worked very hard to come to where we are so I am excited, the boys are excited, everyone is so excited,’’ said Mukanganise.
Lobengula are well known for their exploits in handball where they have for a number of years represented Bulawayo at the national finals of that sport.
“This is one of the prestigious tournaments in the land and by