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Allen Khumalo Sports Reporter
THE Bulawayo province girls’ football team has contributed five players to the Under-20 national team to play in the African Union Sports Council Region Five Games in Angola in December.

The province scooped gold in the just ended 2016 edition of the National Youth Games held in Chinhoyi.

Mashonaland Central were second followed by Mashonaland West, Midlands, Masvingo and Manicaland.

Priviledge Mupeti, Sithabile Dlodlo, Nothabo Nkabinde, Peacemore Kennedy and another unnamed player were called up to the national Under-20 squad.

“I am happy that as a province we managed to contribute five players to the national squad. We hope that our girls will represent Bulawayo in a good way and that they will market themselves,” said Bulawayo coach Boga Ndebele.

Ndebele said he was happy with the girls’ performance at the National Youth Games and attributed their victory to good preparation.

“Our road was successful from the preparation stage.

“We knew what was expected at the tournament and maintained the same team that played in the past two years.

“We also knew what to expect from our opposition and players had developed mental strength and maturity.

“We built on that and focused on the tactical aspect since our league had just kicked off. So in terms of physical fitness the players were high up.”

Ndebele said the girls were nervous at first, but later gained confidence by playing a more defensive game whereby they sat back and invited their opponents to attack them.

Bulawayo province played five other provinces in a round robin format and topped the group with 13 points without conceding a goal.

In their first match, Bulawayo beat Manicaland 2-0, drew 0-0 with Midlands in the second match and won their third match 1-0 against Masvingo — @khumzallen