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Jillian Shava Sports Reporter
MPOPOMA High and Magwegwe High schools yesterday emerged as the provincial winners of the National Association of Secondary School Heads (Nash) Copa Coca-Cola Under-16 boys’ and Under-17 girls’ tournament respectively.

The two schools will now represent Bulawayo province in the national finals to be held in the city from July 17-19.

Mpopoma High beat Milton High 3-0 in the final played at Gifford High School with Nathanel Moyo netting a brace in the second half and Martin Mnkadla adding the third.

To reach the finals, Mpopoma beat Gifford 7-6 on penalties after the match had produced no goals in regulation time. Milton also overcame Sobukhazi 3-2 on penalties after a 0-0 stalemate.

The girls final ended in a 0-0 stalemate in regulation time and Magwegwe went on to beat Sobukhazi 4-3 on penalties.

Magwegwe thrashed Montrose 3-0 while Sobukhazi beat Nkulumane 1-0 to reach the final.

Milton High was almost disqualified for late registration after arriving at the venue late.

The school authorities allegedly released the school bus to ferry the team to the venue late.

This is not the first time that the school authorities have been accused of sabotaging sport.

In March it was alleged that the school authorities delayed releasing the school bus to take pupils to the inter-district competitions at White City Stadium.

The school authorities were insisting that transport was supposed to be provided by Bulawayo Central District.

Moyo, who also plays for Chicken Inn Under-16, said scoring four goals in the tournament was a big achievement.

Gifford High and Montrose High will host the national finals and therefore automatically qualify as hosts.