Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
FOLLOWING their success story at last year’s Copa Coca-Cola football tournament in Bindura, Rusununguko will be seeking a repeat of the same success story when the 30th edition’s finals explode in Zvishavane in July.

The boys Under-15 reigning champions will be remembered for their exceptional show during last year’s event when they fought all the way to the final.

They clinched the title with a 10-member team after some of their players failed the vetting process.

With the odds staked against them, the Mashonaland East-based school refused to be bullied into submission.

This year’s games get into full swing next Thursday with the zonal competition across the country.

Rusununguko, by the virtue of being defending champions, have their place secured at the national finals running from July 12 to 14.

Coach Eremu Madzinga says they are aware it’s not an easy road to emerge overall winners of the country’s prestigious schools tournament and they are not living anything to chance.

“We will play in the zonals, districts and provincial games. Football is no longer easy these days because there are no small teams anymore.

‘’Remember when we went into last year’s tournament, we were underdogs, no one imagined that we were going to win. “So if we could do it just from nowhere it means there are other schools out there that can achieve the same. So we have to be prepared.

“We have already started playing games considering that we are in the Harare Schools Champions league. That’s where we get most of our experience, we play teams like Prince Edward, Allan Wilson and last weekend we beat Seke High 1 in the Under-15 category,” said Madzinga.

The reigning champions will face provincial winners for Masvingo and Mashonaland West in Group D.

Schools from Mashonaland West have also been flexing their muscles in the last two editions with Chinhoyi High losing to Rujeko in 2016, in Gwanda, while Pfupajena went down to Rusununguko last year in Bindura.

Madzinga said it’s going to be a tough assignment but is confident they will build on their experience from last year’s participation.

“This is the group of death. But we will leave no stone unturned, we are going to prepare fully for these teams considering that we beat Pfupajena from Mashonaland West, they are the losing finalists. ‘’And Masvingo have always been a powerhouse.

“So it’s a group of death and in terms of experience I think we are not that experienced as compared to Masvingo. But this experience we have from last year, and also considering we won with 10 men, we are going to do wonders.

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