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Ricky Zililo in Bindura
MATABELELAND South representatives in the girls’ COPA Coca-Cola, Tongwe High School are confident of returning to next year’s edition stronger after an impressive debut in the premier national schools’ tournament.

Tongwe, participating for the first time in the national finals, finished in the top eight after being ejected by Vainona High of Harare 3-0 in a quarter-final penalty shootout. Their game had ended 1-1 after regulation time.

The Beitbridge side’s performance at the tournament, which was won by Chidyamakono of Chivi, had two of its girls selected for the COPA Coca-Cola dream team.

Striker Erita Zvenyika and midfielder Nokuzola Ncube’s performance in group stages saw them being voted into the tournament’s best 20 players.

Oscar Divhani-Ndou, Tongwe’s gaffer, heaped praises on the girls, saying they will strive to maintain their dominance in Matabeleland South.

“I’m happy with the girls’ performance in their first ever national finals.

“The fact that we managed to get to the quarter-finals and two of our girls were selected for the dream team, shows that we really put a good fight.

“When we came here, we told ourselves that we just want to enjoy and make the province happy. I’m sure Matabeleland South people are really proud of us,” said Divhani-Ndou.

Tongwe came first in their group, winning 2-0 against Parirewa and 1-0 against Hermann Gmeiner.

For reaching the quarter-finals, Tongwe won themselves a branded COPA Coca-Cola kit.

Matabeleland South boys’ representatives Mzingwane High also lost 1-5 in the quarter-finals to losing finalists Pfupajena of Chegutu.

Bekezela Mavundla, Mzingwane High’s coach, said: “We lost to a better team in the quarter-finals and now we go back home to start preparing for next year’s competition.”

Meanwhile, Bulawayo’s Lobengula High got the Fair Play award in the boys’ category. Lobengula were booted out by Gutu High 0-1 in the quarter-finals.

Mpopoma High, who were carrying Bulawayo’s hopes in the girls section, found the going tough, as they failed to go beyond the group stages.

It was a sad story for Somvubu and Tohwe, the Matabeleland North boys’ and girls’ representatives, as they also failed to go past the group stages. —   @ZililoR