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Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
ZIFA technical director Wilson Mutekede has hailed the Legends of Tomorrow Under-18 Football Tournament that was held on Saturday at Hellenic Sports Club in Eastlea, Harare.

Mutekede said they are going to use such soccer tournaments to select a team to represent the country in the COSAFA Under-20 Tournament.

“As a technical department we are currently looking at selecting a team to participate in the COSAFA Under-20 Tournament. I have seen a number of quality players here today and I have asked the coaches to select 18 players from this tournament for consideration.

“The bulk of the team should come from this age group so that we can have continuity in the tournament as we seek to improve year on year,”  said Mutekede.

ZIFA recognised and endorsed the inaugural tournament which pitted the top four soccer academies in Harare against each other in a round robin format.

Aces Youth Soccer Academy, Dzivaresekwa Academy, Epworth Pirates and the hosts Legends Football Academy made the teams which clashed for a floating trophy and soccer kit.

Mutekede also encouraged Academies to register with ZIFA so that they operate legally.

“I would like to thank the organisers of this tournament Legends Football Academy who have complied with regulations and are registered with ZIFA.

“The academy approached us early for approval of their tournament and it has been registered and sanctioned. The more registered tournaments we have the more informed we become about local talent.

“In addition FIFA and CAF have requested that we have registered tournaments as these can be used as an index to measure the rate of development in a country,” added Mutekede.

The tournament was won by the hosts Legends Football Academy after they won their matches against Aces 1-0, Pirates 3-1 and a goalless draw against DZ Academy.

There were also individual accolades with Nigel Kupara and Wesley Murozvi winning the best players for Legends Academy as Artwell Kamwaya and Clide Pakura won it for AYSA best players as DZ Academy had Edward Wanyunji and Nomore Tsabora while Daniel Chakanyuka and Wandinoda Zvirebo took the best players honours for Pirates. For their efforts each participating Academy received three training soccer balls while the winners received medals, floating trophy and a full set of training kit.