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Minister Lazarus Dokora

Geophrey Sifani Sports Reporter
PRIMARY and Secondary Education Minister Lazarus Dokora has said the Confederation of School Sports Associations of Southern Africa (Cossasa) ball games had a history of success as some athletes that competed in previous editions were doing well at higher levels regionally and internationally. Officially opening the ball games that have attracted more than 1,000 athletes and officials at White City Stadium in Bulawayo yesterday, Minister Dokora said the games were vital in fostering youth and sport development in the Sadc region. He said sport was beneficial in the five Cs — competence, confidence, connections, caring and character — that must be inculcated into young people.

“The games are a regional strategy meant to create talent identification platforms in young learners. It’s a key component on the educational curriculum and a compulsory learning area in the system,” said Minister Dokora. Cossasa games are held on a rotational basis among its member states in the Sadc region. Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Under-17 girls’ team was humiliated 1-3 by Namibia Under-17 in the opening game of the Confederation of School Sports Associations of Southern Africa (Cossasa) ball games at White City Stadium yesterday. Zimbabwe’s defence was at sea as they struggled to contain the rampant Namibian forwards.

Namibia got their first goal in the first minute of the match after a quick-fire start that resulted in a corner kick. Ignacia Haoses sent in an inviting cross that found an unmarked Melissa Matheus, who blasted the ball into the net. Memory Ngonda added the second goal in the sixth minute with a powerful shot from outside the box after being left unmarked by a confused Zimbabwe defence. Zimbabwe thought they had reduced arrears in the 39th minute when Maudy Mafuruse broke free, but she placed the ball wide in a face-to-face situation with Namibian goalkeeper Quendra Batista.

The home team found a breakthrough three minutes later when Sophia Mlambo curled the ball past Batista from a cross by Evermore Mutandwa. However, Namibia restored their two-goal lead in the 52nd minute through Haoses, who pounced from inside the box after a goalmouth melee. Zimbabwe coach Evelyn Rimayi said her team was demoralised by conceding a goal in the opening minute. “I think our fear was triggered by Namibia’s first minute goal. The girls also exhibited some stage fright as they were uneasy throughout the match,” said Rimayi.