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Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
CONWAY College of Mashonaland West Province are this year’s M and H NASH Under-17 Boys Soccer Challenge Cup champions after they defeated Mavhuradonha 7-6 in a penalty shoot-out.The game had ended goalless in regulation time at Kwekwe High yesterday. Conway College negotiated their way to the finals by knocking out Prince Edward in the semis but were held to a 0-0 draw by Mavhuradonha before the shoot-out.
Churchill, who were the defending champions after edging Bulawayo province representative Sikhulile 3-2 on penalties in last year’s final, were knocked out in the semis by a determined Conway College.
Churchill coach Gift Zvavanhu feels they have a very good team.
“The game was tough but we lost to a better team,” Zvavanhu said.
Churchill’s Teacher in Charge for soccer, Jason Mhundwa, believes they will come back better prepared next year. “We had played well but Mash West representatives Conway were a classy act.”
The annual schools soccer tournament celebrated 16 years of existence and the sponsor of the tournament, Alex “Dr Mash” Mashamhanda, unveiled a sponsorship package of US$10 000 this year.
Mashamhanda last year hailed the NASH executive for running the tournament professionally and promised to continue pouring resources into the M&H soccer tournament.
Regular schools that used to dominate the M&H Under-17 tournament like Mzilikazi, Hippo Valley, Pamushana and Mutare Boys High have since disappeared from the radar.