By Tendai Chisiri
Hosts Zimbabwe have proved to be a force to reckon at the ongoing 3-day COSAFA CAF African Schools Football Championship by winning two games of their three games played at Gateway High School on Thursday in Harare.
Eight southern African countries are battling for honours to compete in the CAF African Schools Football Championship after locking horns in the regional tournament taking place in Harare for both boys and girls Under 15 schools team.
Zimbabwe having been on FIFA ban is playing for the first time in the second edition of the continental tournament at regional phase and has proved its mettle after only having been in camp for two weeks whilst the other countries have been assessing their strength for the whole year.
Smarting from a 4-0 defeat from Malawi in the first game, Zimbabwe beat Botswana 5-1 in their second game and thrashed Eswantini 3-1 to become second in their group after Malawi.
As Zimbabwe supporters rallied behind their nation, El Shaddai Sadomba of St John’s College scored in the first minute of the game against Eswantini. Botswana then equalised through Kgotso Katlholo of Granada School. Later on a good dribble from Darren Zulu of Rusununguko School assisted Awakhiwe Tshabile of Sobkhazi School to net it home giving Zimbabwe a 2-1 lead against Botswana.
Zimbabwe had a high ball possession throughout the match with Tshabile putting up a scintillating performance that was a marvel to watch. The pint sized right winger gave the defenders a torrid time as he gave neat passes and managed to dribble past them.
Sadomba had a brace on scoring Zimbabwe’s third goal as they kept pressure on Botswana side. In the first minute of the second half Botswana tried their luck only for the ball to go over the bar. Botswana made three substitutes at once in order to fight back the 2 goals deficit but it was to no avail as Zimbabwe was so energetic.
Botswana was unlucky when their defender failed to clear the ball and Sadomba penalised them by scoring the fourth goal unmarked. The fifth goal came when Sadomba dribbled past defenders beat even the goalie to score .
In the game against Eswantini , Zimbabwe’s Benjamin Matyatya of Lomagundi scored the first goal. Zimbabwe captain Tadiwa Chakuchichi scored the second goal for Zimbabwe to give the country 2-0 lead. His celebration costed him a yellow card after he removed his shirt. Eswantini replied through Phathizwe Magagula with some second to go to half time to make the scoreline 2-1.
Zimbabwe’s Sadomba scored the third goal in the 44 seconds of the second half.
In an interview after the match against Botswana, Zimbabwe gaffer Norman Taruvinga was left elated. “At least its better. I had that believe that our second game would be much better. I am very happy with the boys on how they played their all”.
” We had few tactical changes switching players in their positions and had only one new player in after the game against Malawi”, Taruvinga said.
Former Zimbabwe international Edward Sadomba who was watching his son play was also left happy. In an interview after the Botswana tie he said, ” I want to thank the organisers for rolling out this programme. It is a good platform for development of football. I am just happy that my son scored most of the goals. Its a good thing to represent the nation . I encourage him to keep doing his best”,
“Sport is good as it gives the young something to be occupied with during their free time rather than engage in drugs. With the girl child around, this helps them from early child marriages.
Zimbabwe captain Tadiwa Chakuchichi parents could not hide their smiles as their son commanded the team well as they were among the spectators. Their son was the man of the man in the two matches against Botswana and Eswantini respectively.
Tadiwa’ mother Primrose Chakuchichi said Zimbabwe players played very well as it was their first time in the tournament. ” They played extremely well in their second match even though they had lost their first game. They were united in their play and that resulted in a good comeback from the lose against Malawi. The supporters played a big part as they didn’t criticise the young lads when they lost against Malawi”.
” Considering that they were in camp for two weeks whilst other countries practised for the tournament the whole year shows that they did well”, she added.
The father Isaiah Chakuchichi praised the supporters for the maximum support they gave the youngsters in order for them to be confident. ” The supporters chanted well for the team as if it was a national senior men football team. The support was overwhelming and it pushed the boys to play hard and give their best. I left work to come and support”, he said.
Meanwhile South African girls ran riot and thrashed Angola 14-0. The match was the talk of the place by spectators at the tournament. South Africa’s Khwezi Khoza scored eight goals in the match against Angola.
Top two teams from each group proceeds to the next stage.
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