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Tobias Mandoreba in Hwange
FIVE U-20 select teams from Hwange town and Dete will today clash in the inaugural Prince Mabhanga Zulu tournament at Lwendulu Old ground meant to raise funds for cancer patients and raise awareness of the disease in the town.

The tournament will be held under the theme “Fighting cancer through sport”.

The 21-year-old Prince was a young soccer player who featured in the Zifa Mat North Division 2A league firstly for Iwisa FC and Baobab Rovers FC but stopped playing football last year before he succumbed to the disease in September this year.

Busani Dube, the spokesperson for the Hwange based football personalities who came together and organised the tournament which will now be held on annual basis, said Prince’s untimely death prompted them to act.

“After the death of such a promising player who was a natural right back, we decided to meet as a group of people with a passion for soccer and have this tournament in which we aim to raise funds for other cancer victims in the town.

There will be prizes to the tune of $200 for the teams with some of funds to be set aside for the project of helping other victims of the disease in the town. It will also be an awareness campaign through football.” said Dube.

Besides Dete select, other teams will be from Lwendulu, Madumabisa, Makwika and Baobab.

Dube also highlighted that the festivities will start with a march from the central business district (TM square) at 8am to the venue with some cancer awareness speeches lined up before the games start in the afternoon.

Premier League assistant referee, Venazio Zulu is heading the organising committee which also comprises former Hwange player Method Mwanjali and spouse Karen, ex-Hwange player Vitalis Kamocha, Tafi Nengasha, Brian Dube, George Chivhunga and top flight referee, Bonamali Bwanale. — @tobymandox