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Musa Mandaza

Raymond Jaravaza, Sports Correspondent
SOUTHERN Region Division One Soccer League’s runners-up Bulawayo Chiefs have withdrawn from the inaugural Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Top Eight tournament, saying they want to give their players a rest.

The eight team tournament, named after the late iconic Father Zimbabwe Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo and being bankrolled by Trukump Mining Enterprises to the tune of $10 000, will run from December 3-10.

Zifa Southern region chairman Musa Mandaza confirmed Chiefs’ withdrawl and said they have since invited champions Bantu Rovers to take up the slot.

Rovers had been excluded from the tournament to afford them ample time to prepare for the Premiership promotional playoffs and will now face ZRP Bulawayo Province in the quarter-finals.

“Bulawayo Chiefs will not be taking part in the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Top Eight tournament because they want to rest their players.

“We have invited Bantu Rovers to take over Bulawayo Chiefs’ place,” Mandaza said.

The quarter-finals which will be played on December 3 will see ZPC Hwange locking horns with Talen Vision while Zimbabwe National Army side Indlovu Iyanyathela will battle it out against Hwange’s Technosphere.

The last quarter-final clash will see Black Boots facing Victoria Falls based Amagagasi.

All the matches will be played at Bulawayo’s White City and Luveve stadiums.

Winners of the tournament will walk away with $2 400 with the runners-up pocketing $1 500.

Losing semi-finalists will each get $700 with teams going out in the quarter-finals each pocketing $300.

Part of the sponsorship package will cater for individual prizes, match officials’ fees, police, ground rentals and transportation of teams.

Meanwhile, four Austrian coaches will scout for talent during the tournament.

@RaymondJaravaza