Bantu Rovers got off to a good start in the Dr Pepper Under-19 Dallas Cup in the United States, emphatically winning their first two football matches against Central California Blues and Charming Club.
They beat Central California Blues 4-1 on Sunday and thrashed Charming Club of Mexico 5-0 on Monday at the Dallas Park Field.
US-based Ray Lunga scored a brace against Central California Blues with the other goals coming from Ezra Siyaduba and Marvellous Nakamba while Lunga grabbed yet another brace against Charming Club.
Brian Mpala also scored two goals in the second match with the fifth goal coming from Bright Dzowa. However, their toughest hurdle will be beating Solar Chelsea Under-17/18 USSF Academy in the decider of the group stages today at the same venue.
Solar Chelsea cruised past Charming Club 6-0 at Richland College Field on Sunday before riding over Central California Blues 4-1 at Dallas Park on Monday.
They top the log standings in Bracket F of the Under-19 competition by a one-goal superior goal difference over the Methembe Ndlovu-owned Tshintsha Guluva.
Both clubs are at par on six points after winning their first two matches. Bantu Rovers, coached by the former Warriors and Highlanders midfielder, rested yesterday and will also be out of action tomorrow if they beat Solar Chelsea to top Bracket E and face the winner of Bracket D in the quarter-finals on Friday.
According to the Dallas Cup website, there are seven groups in the Under-19 competition with Bracket A comprising Knowsley Youth of England, CZ Elite, BRSC Black and AYSES Gold of the US.
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Bracket B has Prapa Tec of Mexico, De Anza Force Blue, IMG USSF Under-17/18 Academy, Dallas Texans Red of the US with Bracket C featuring Lewisham College of England, Pateodores, Alianza de Futbol, Andromeda FC USSF Under-17/18 Academy from the US.
Puerto Rico Under-19 National Team 93 with US teams Dallas Texans White, Shattuck St Mary’s and Houston Dynamo STX Academy make up Bracket D.
CFI Guadalajara of Mexico, Arsenal USSF Under-17/18 Academy, Chicago Fire Youth Academy and TFC of the US are the clubs in Bracket E with Club Deportivo Escuela de Futbol of Colombia, Royal Navy (England) and Sereno White and Sockers FC USSF Under-17/18 Academy in Bracket G.
