Zimpapers Logo

A BLAST FROM THE PAST . . . Former Zimbabwe international forward Kingston Rinemhota (right), who also used the COPA Coca-Cola Tournament as a platform to showcase his talent, was one of the guests who witnessed the launch of this year’s tourney at Rujeko High School

Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
VAINONA want to return to the winners’ podium at the 2017 COPA Coca-Cola football tournament which gets underway in Bindura on Friday and Saturday.

The Harare side won the girls tournament in 2012. But Chidyamakono have been the dominant force since then, winning the tournament in the past four years, and they will be among teams expected to shine at Chipindura and Hermann Gmeiner this weekend.

Vainona team coach Herbert Mugumwa said it was high time they reclaim the title and they have built a strong side. “I think it’s high time we win the Coca-Cola trophy which we last won in 2012. We have managed to build a strong side and I hope this year we are going to do well,’’ he said.

“Everyone is looking forward to the finals and we are expecting tough competition and we have been training hard and reaching the finals shows that we have a good side.

“We hope that we will win our group stage games and go all the way to the finals. Our aim is to reclaim the title which we last won in 2012 and with the quality of players we have I am hopeful that we will do well.’’

All provinces will be represented with Mashonaland Central bringing in three boys’ teams in Kundayi of Concession, Rujeko of Glendale and Bindura’s Chipindura

Teams:

Boys: Oriel Boys (Harare), Takwirira (Manicaland), Kundayi (Mashonaland Central), Sabiwa (Matabeleland South), Gutu High (Masvingo), Lobengula (Bulawayo), Rusununguko (Mashonaland East), Tohwe (Matabeleland North), Pfupajena (Mashonaland West), Gorge Chipadza (Midlands), Chipindura High (hosts), Rujeko (defending champions).

Girls: Vainona (Harare), Mamunyadza (Manicaland), Rushinga (Mashonaland Central), Tongwe (Matabeleland South), Mwenezi (Masvingo), Mpopoma (Bulawayo), Parirewa (Mashonaland East), Somvubu (Matabeleland North), Sodbury (Mashonaland West), Guinea Fowl (Midlands), Hermann Germainer (host), Chidyamakono (Masvingo).