THE third edition of the Kombani Africa Knock-Out Cup roars into life at Plumtree High School tomorrow. Report by Sukoluhle Mthethwa
Zifa Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Division Two sides FC Kombani Africa – formerly Plumtree FC – NRZ Tigers, Highlanders Under-19 and Plumtree Soccer Academy will fight for honours in the competition. The draw for the tournament was held at Kombani Lodge in Plumtree early this month.
Highlanders will take on Plumtree Academy while NRZ Tigers will lock horns with FC Kombani.
Tournament co-ordinator Faith Dube confirmed to NewsDay Sport that the tournament will be on tomorrow.
“All is set for this year’s edition of the Cup. The main reason why we are having the tournament is to give back to the community because they support Kombani Lodge. It is also the platform for youngsters to showcase their talents to give them a chance to be spotted by bigger clubs. The tournament has a package of R120 000 which includes prize monies and kits,” he said.
The winner of the competition will pocket $2 500, runner-up $700 while third and the last teams will pocket $400 and $300 each respectively.
Last year, NRZ Tigers won the second edition of the tournament after they edged Plumtree Soccer Academy 1-0 and walked away $2 000 richer.
Four social football teams will take part in a separate competition. They are Highlanders Legends and Amavevane from Bulawayo, Plumtree Social Soccer Club and a Botswana club.
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“We are expecting former Highlanders players like Willard ‘Mashinkila’ Khumalo, Mkhuphali Masuku, Johannes Tshuma, Douglas Mloyi and Rahman Gumbo to take part,” he said.
Last year, the proprietor of Kombani Lodge, Charles Moyo, poured in $30 000 for the tournament which also had women’s football teams Inline Academy and New Orleans participating.
The inaugural tournament in 2011, won by Plumtree Academy, was bankrolled to the tune of R200 000.