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Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
FALCON College and Peterhouse have the highest number of players in the final Old Mutual Zimbabwe Under-18 squad for the Coca-Cola Craven Week set for July 17-22 at St Stithians College in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Falcon and Peterhouse each contributed five players to the 23-member squad named after a half term training camp held at St John’s College from Thursday to Saturday.

They are followed by team of the moment Prince Edward with four, St John’s College and St George’s College with three each; Midlands Christian College, Hillcrest and Kyle College with a player each.

Also named was the final squad for the Under-18 Academy Week set for the same venue and dates with the Craven Week. Prince Edward contributed seven players, Peterhouse (3), while Hellenic, Midlands Christian College, Heritage and Churchill have two players each. The other players are from St George’s, Eaglesvale, Kyle College, Victoria High and Falcon College.

A total of 10 non-travelling reserves have been named as cover for both squads. They will continue training with the rest of the players and can be selected in case of injuries.

The squads will train again on July 2 and 9 prior to their departure for Johannesburg on July 12. There are also plans for practice matches ahead of the tournaments since South African schools will be on a break. First to take to the field will be the Basil Dingiswayo mentored Academy Week side on July 17 in their debut with the Golden Lions, while the opening fixture of the Craven Week would be the following day with the Craven Week team taking on North West Leopards.

Zimbabwe-born former Scotland captain Scott Gray is coach of the Under-18 Craven Week team after taking over from Godwin “Jaws” Murambiwa, who had been in charge since 2006.

Old Mutual Zimbabwe U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week squad:

Rivaldo Kwidini, Tadiwanashe Mabhudhu, Darren King, Jack Charsley, Lebohang Mokuele (all Falcon College), Ronald Mirimi, Tabonga Ngonyamo, Mazvitaishe Nyamarebvu, Marcus Nicole, Lameck Veriwa( all Peterhouse), Brendon Mudzikitiri, Tapiwa Marimira, Mike Mhute, Tinashe Hombiro (all Prince Edward), Dexter Trail, Dillon Brain, Ryan Smith (all St John’s College), Tafadziswa Bunu, Cody Rensburg, Prince Mpfurutsa (all St George’s College), Tadiwa Muchemwa (Hillcrest), Simba Chingono ( Midlands Christians College), Kudakwashe Mashonga (Kyle College)

Coach: Scott Gray
Assistant coach: Cleopas Makotose
Team manager: Shaun De Souza

Old Mutual Zimbabwe U18 Coca-Cola Academy Week squad:

Adrian Zivinai (St George’s College), Takudzwa Mashingaidze, Allan Mawande, Keagan Schultz (all Peterhouse), Takudzwa Mpariwa, Matthew Orowu, Nigel Tinarwo (both Churchill), Thokozani Mrewa (MCC), Nathan Tanyanyiwa, Sean Maenzanise, Marques Siyawamaya, Leeroy Kagodora, Sean Mupanemunda, Edwin Mutseyekwa, Anesu Haki (all Prince Edward), Brian Chakoma, Alcy Melo (both Heritage), Brandon Sibanda, Kyle College, Takunda Magondo (Victoria High), Takunda Machaya (Falcon College)

Coach: Basil Dingiswayo
Assistant coach: Tatenda Museba
Team manager: Simbarashe Dangah
Team physiotherapist: Abigail Mnikwa

Non travelling reserves: Victor Mupunga, James Owuru (both Churchill), Rangarirai Mariwa, Brendon Muchopa (both Kyle College), Neil Mawere (Lomagundi College), Joshua Allardice, Siampunga Sindaza (Falcon College), Jacob Dinha, Ryan Tekede (both Prince Edward) Desmond Annandale (St John’s College)

@Mdawini_29