Joseph Munetsi
Churchill Boys’ High School
Chemhanza High School were made to eat humble pie by bit­ter rivals Hwedza High School in the second edition of the S. K. Musanhu soccer finals held at Kujeke Grounds in Hwedza recently.

Chemhanza, who were finalists in the National Asso­ciation of Secondary Heads (Nash) competitions hosted by Churchill earlier this year were beaten 4-3 on penalties after the teams ended regula­tion time tied on a 0-0 draw.
But the Methodist-run institution will rue the first miss they made from the spot kicks and from which they never recovered.

Despite boasting seven players who play in the Under-17 national team and their affili­ation to the Zifa Division 2 league where they are in fourth posi­tion (with six remaining matches), they still failed to prove why they are the most decorated side in Mashona­land East Province.
Hwedza High’s credit for lifting the trophy goes to goal­keeper and man-of-the-match Obvious Makondo, who made all forms of saves to deny their opponents victory.

Other players who dis­played classical soccer for the winners from the onset include Philip Chatindo, Tinotenda Mandaza and Cainos Rumbanduro. For the losers, players such as Tariro Mukarakate, Trevor Gandan­zara and Nigel Matika deserve credit.
In the U14 section, Chemhanza triumphed over Rambanapasi (3-1) and Chard Primary School won the net­ball finals by a 21-16 margin against Rambanapasi.

One of the co-ordinators of the tournament, Mr Patson Muroyi, said that the Musanhu Tournament is one of four others hosted by Hwedza District that has man­aged to address the issue of juvenile delinquency as the youths in the area commit themselves to sport all year round.

He said they had also been able to produce champions such as a 14-year-old pupil at Maruta School who recently won a silver medal in Botswana as well as two jun­iors from the same area who were part of a world handball championship tournament in Copenhagen.

Chikurumadziva School, for instance, which has an enrolment of just 170 stu­dents, has five boys who play in the Premier Soccer League for such teams as Tongogara Football Club.
The Deputy Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Lazarus Dokora, thanked Engineer Simon Musanhu for sponsoring the tournament to the tune of $25 000 and urged other busi­ness people in the area to emulate him.

Three-time Comrades Marathon champion Stephen Muzhingi and soccer legend Stanford “Stix” Mutizwa were present as guests at the tournament.
Eng Musanhu said he will consider raising the prize money next year.

“I am very happy with the talent that we continue to identify, nurture and expose, so I will not hesitate to do more in the next tournament,” he told Sunday Mail Bridge.
Over 5 000 people attended the event.