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COPA COCA-COLA KINGS AND QUEENS . . . Chemhanza High School players celebrate after beating Oriel Boys High

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
CHEMHANZA High School of Mashonaland East and Chidyamakono of Masvingo defied all odds to defend their titles in the boys Under-16 and girls Under-17 football tournament at Gwanzura yesterday.
Chemhanza powered to victory when they beat Oriel Boys’ High 2-0 in the final to retain the title.
They got their goals from twin brothers, Manuel and Takudzwa Chiwerenga who scored a goal each for their side.

Manuel thrust his team into the lead in the 25th minute through a well-taken free kick, from just outside the box.
They got the free-kick after midfielder Tatenda Tumba was brought down by Oriel’s Mathew Jack.

Takudzwa then sealed victory in the 48th minute when he worked his way past Oriel’s defenders and buried the ball home from close range.
Chemhanza coach, Never Mhandu, said his side reaped huge rewards for their hard work and the unity in their ranks.

“We played very well. I was very worried at the beginning of the tournament, the boys had a lot of pressure but they managed to contain the pressure.
“We managed to defend the title so we are happy. It’s incredible.

“We will continue to work hard. Our secret is the coaching department. We work together with the Under-20 and the Under-17 coaches were here also.
“They were helping me. So we got a good understanding that’s our secret and also the fitness of our players. They were able to last the whole of the tournament,” Mhandu said.

Chemhanza had a few players who participated in last year’s tourney, including Tumba, in their team and Mhandu said it brought stability to their side.
“We had those players who played last year, so they helped the youngsters to cope up with the pressure of the tournament.

“You could see during our group stage matches, they were under pressure, they were jittery but as we proceeded they managed to contain the pressure.
“So it was good because as defending champions you will always have that pressure,” said Mhandu.

His counterpart, Shadreck Machihani, was a disappointed man and accused their opponents of fielding over-aged players despite them having gone through the vetting process before the tournament.

“My boys played well. It’s painful to lose but not that painful because we have come very far from the provincial finals.
“And, also considering that we were playing the Under-16s against the Under-20s, it’s not that painful.

“That’s very true and there is no need for proof. Actually we are the winners of the tournament,” said Machihani.
Chemhanza had defeated Mzilikazi 1-0 in the semi-final while Oriel beat a nine-man Mkondwa 4-3 on penalties in the other semi-final.
The match had ended goalless in regulation time.

Mkondwa, who are from Mashonaland East, had 11 of their players expelled for this tournament during vetting on Friday.
For their efforts Chemhanza walked away with US$6 500 and a floating trophy while Oriel got US$5 000.

Mkondwa of Mashonaland East pocketed US$3 500 and Mzilikazi got US$2 500.
It was the same story in the girls section as defending champions, Chidyamakono, defeated St Francis of Mashonaland Central 1-0 to retain the title.
Primrose Musiiwa was on target for Chidyamakono.

Chidyamakono, who qualified for the tournament by the virtue of being the title holders, had lost to their provincial finalists Chidzikwe last month but yesterday they proved why they are the champions despite having started on a slow pace.

Their coach, Yeukai Chiruvu, said they worked hard to defend the title.
“The game was tough but they managed to play as we had instructed them. We had a few players who played last year.

“At the provincials we lost to Chidzikwe in the finals and that is where we noted some of our mistakes. We work hard as a team,” said Chiruvu.
Chidyamakono beat Magwegwe 1-0 in the last four and St Francis dismissed Chidzikwe 4-0.

Chidyamakono pocketed US$3 000 and a floating trophy for winning the girls’ tournament while St Francis received US$2 000 and a floating trophy as well.
Magwegwe and Chidzikwe got US$1 500 and US$1 000.

The losing quarter-finalists for the boys received US$1 500 and the rest of the teams got US$1 200 while for the girls they got US$700 and the rest of the teams pocketed US$500.

For the individual prizes, the winners got US$100 while the best coaches Mhandu and Chiruvu received US$200.

Individual Prizes
Boys
Best Goalkeeper: Panashe Nyabunga (Oriel).
Top Goal corer: Dion Zhuwakinyu (Mkondwa).
Best Midfielder: Tatenda Tumba (Chemhanza).
Best Defender: Takaedza Mazhuwarara (Mkondwa).
Player of the Tournament: Tatenda Tumba (Chemhanza).
Fair Play Team: Mzilikazi (Bulawayo).
Girls
Best Goalkeeper: Sophia Mlambo (Chidyamakono).
Top Goalscorer: Lorraine Nyanjala (St Francis).
Player of the tournament: Buhlebenkosi Zulu (Magwegwe)
Fair Play Team: Gato (Midlands).