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Sports Reporter—

THE second edition of the annual Mwalimu Kumbula soccer tournament, which was recently held at Epworth High School in Epworth just outside Harare, lived up to its high expectations as six finalists for the Under-13, Under-16 and seniors displayed some exciting football on a day when everything went on according to plan. The tournament, which was inaugurated last year, is the brainchild of one of Epworth’s most illustrious sons, Musekiwa Kumbula, and is named after his son, Mwalimu.

Musekiwa Kumbula is now the director of Univern Enterprises, a company that provides software solutions to the Government and local municipalities.

The games at Epworth High School kicked off at 10am with the first encounter pitting Epworth Starlets against Young Stars in the Under-13 category.

The game started at a cracking pace with both teams fighting to control the midfield and it was precision in front of goal which decided the match in favour of Epworth Starlets who won 2-0.

Man-of-the-match Munashe “CR7” Kadere weighed in with two well-executed goals to confirm Epworth Starlets the 2016 Under-13 champions.

The Under-16s final saw Young Stars taking on Young Arrows and the game started at a slow pace with both teams trying to be cautious in the opening 15 minutes. Thereafter the spectators were treated to some attractive attacking football with both teams taking turns to miss the target. A 0-0 draw was the fairest result hence the game had to be decided on penalties and Young Stars proved that they had done their home work by scoring their first three penalties against nil from Young Arrows.

Enoch Tarugara, Brighton Joseph and Blessing Kagudu all scored their spot-kicks for Young Stars while Ardel Kandira, Denzel Taamanya and Burden Tanyanyiwa were the villains as they took turns to miss for Young Arrows.

Winning coach, Tinashe Doriro, was full of praise for his team, particularly the goalkeeper who kept a clean sheet throughout the tournament.

By the time the third and final match of the day kicked-off at 1:30pm, hundreds of people had thronged the venue at Epworth High School for what was billed as an epic final, featuring Chiremba FC and Epworth Pools (the local Cup Kings). And all the ingredients of a thriller were there. Spectators were treated to mature football which was punctuated by a good passing game from both teams. Chiremba FC congested the midfield using the 4-4-2 formation as a way of cutting supplies to Epworth Pools’ dangerous wing play.

Chiremba FC had an upperhand in the first half with their defence well-marshalled by Wise Mutandwa giving enough cover to their goalkeeper Alois Mhizha. A direct free-kick by Blessing Simemeza in the 21st minute whiçh was characterised by technique and power provided Chiremba FC with game’s opener in the first half. When Epworth Pools introduced substitutes Kennedy and Peter “Mhasuru” Rupiya in the second half, this pressed a panic baton in Chiremba FC players.

The two substitutes tilted the game in Epworth Pools’ favour. This resurgence injected life into Vengai Jaravaza and Tinotenda Fengu who were hardly noticed in the first half.

Chiremba FC defence crumbled under some intense pressure, leaving the goalkeeper Mhizha badly exposed. It was not surprising when Epworth Pools scored the equaliser in the 64th minute through Kimberly Jongwe. Buoyed by the equaliser, Epworth Pools pressed for the winner but were denied by the heroic goalkeeping of Mhizha. Chiremba FC held off the final onslaught to earn a deserved draw in a game of two halves.

The game went straight into a penalty shoot-out where Chiremba FC emerged winners on an 8-7 scoreline.

Mutandwa, Luckmore Ngwerume, Arnold Kanjere and Mhizha all scored their spot-kicks while Munashe Maderera and Berdon Goto missed for Chiremba FC. Guest of Honour, the legendary former CAPS United and national team goalkeeper Brenna Msiska, was impressed by the standard of play. “There is a lot of latent soccer talent here (in Epworth) which needs to be nurtured and tournaments like this one can only help turn Epworth into a soccer powerhouse that can compete against the best in the country,” he said.

Among the invited guests who graced the occasion were Triangle FC head coach David “Yogi” Mandigora, Takaiteyi Muskwe (Harare Province Head in Charge of Football) and Epworth Local Board councillors.

Chairperson of Epworth Sports Association and the tournament’s co-ordinator, Shepherd Mudzamiri, said all 38 teams which participated in this event from the knockout stages to the finals walked away with prizes ranging from football kits, floating trophies, medals, training bibs, training cones, training balls and shields for individual prizes.

Young Stars FC scooped the award for the best club in the form of a football kit. This prize was given to a club which stood head and shoulders above the rest on football grassroots development.

“This year’s tournament was bigger and better. Like wine, we are getting better with age. Special thanks goes to the sponsor (Musekiwa Kumbula), Epworth Local Board, the organising committee, invited guests and the host school’s headmaster for working as a united force,” said Mudzamiri.

“The tournament managed to showcase untapped talent in Epworth. With the much awaited development of the construction of the OlympAfrica Sports Centre commencing soon, the community will develop into a powerhouse in sports. “Team effort involving the tournament sponsor, Musekiwa Kumbula, the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee and Epworth Local Board will see us realise the dream of owning a multi-purpose sports centre that will transform Epworth’s sporting landscape,” he said.

In his remarks the sponsor, Musekiwa Kumbula, lauded the teams for putting up spirited performances and encouraged them to continue to be focused on raising football development in Epworth.

Kumbula reaffirmed his passion and commitment to support grassroots football development in Epworth by setting the grand stage to showcase what Epworth has to offer in terms of football talent. “In the not-too-distant-future, we will have a soccer team from Epworth playing in the Premier Soccer League,” he added.