Marlborough High . . . . . (0)3 Chemhanza High . . . . . . . . 0
HENRY MHARA
MARLBOROUGH High School pulled off a huge upset to clinch the Pinda muSmart/Ngena kuSmart National Association of Schools Heads (NASH) Under-20 national football title after humiliating favourites Chemhanza High School in a final match played at Prince Edward High School yesterday.
Three second half goals scored by Tinotenda Chigoronga, Prince Zinyama and Jareth Chibezwa ensured that Harare Province retained the trophy that was won by Churchill High School last year.
The victorious team went away with $1 000 and a floating trophy, while Chemhanza, winners of the Copa Coca-Cola Under-16 trophy, got a $500 consolation.
This year’s edition was sponsored by Population Services International (PSI) under their Pinda muSmart/Ngena kuSmart programme whose primary aim is to encourage school going adolescent boys to get circumcised as a way curbing the spread of HIV and Aids.
Marlborough coach Owen Mtukwa said: “It’s a great honour to win this trophy both on a personal level and for the school. We have worked hard for this by playing friendly matches and the school has been very supportive of this project. This trophy means everything to the school, particularly the headmaster who has supported us all the way.”
Chemhanza coach Rangarirai Muchakazi was disappointed his team lost the match despite dominating play for the better part of the match.
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“It’s very unlike of Chemhanza that we create so many chances and fail to convert, but that’s what happens in soccer. We missed a lot of chances especially in the first half and that is where we lost it. It’s a lesson for the team,” Machakazi said.
Chemhanza were the quickest off the blocks and even threatened to overrun their opponents early in the match, but Marlborough managed to absorb the pressure well as the game progressed.
Chigoronga then put his side in the lead early in the second half with a goal deserving to win any final.
The striker did well to bring down a long cross with his chest, and set himself up before drilling past Chemhanza goalie Lincoln Motsi with a low shot.
Zinyama, voted the Player of the Tournament, then converted from the penalty spot to double Marlborough’s lead before Chibezwa put the game beyond Chemhanza late on with an instinctive strike, stealing the ball from a defender before slotting the ball home.
