The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Sports Correspondent
A TOTAL of 12 social soccer teams from across Manicaland Province will tomorrow (Saturday) clash in a potentially-explosive tournament to be played at various stadia in Rusape.
The tournament is in memory of the late businessman, Evans Tafara Chidawanyika, who was fondly known as Chidaz, and remembered for promoting social and professional soccer in Rusape and beyond. Chidawanyika, who ran businesses in Rusape, Mutare and Hwedza died on June 14, 2013. The event is being organised by Tafara ‘TJ’ Chidawanyika.
The 12 teams that had confirmed participation by Wednesday morning were Vengere Boozers, Rusape Crackers, Muriwo, All Stars, Fiki Stars, Chibuku, Willows, Chipolopolo FC, Cracking Fathers, Scud 11, Rusape Town Council and Nyanga Legends. The matches will be played at venues that include Makoni Country Club, John Cowie Primary School, Vengere High School and Vengere Stadium.
The semi-finals and finals will be played at Vengere Stadium.
The tournament promises to be a thriller as most of the teams have clashed before in derbies and mini-tournaments, the likes of Vengere Boozers, All Stars, Rusape Crackers and Cracking Fathers. Mutare-based social soccer giants, Chipolopolo FC will be vying for revenge after they were humiliated and booted out in the semi-finals of the Africa Day social soccer tournament played in the city recently. Chipolopolo FC will be banking on utility players such as Knowledge ‘Zizou’ Musemburi, Tinashe ‘Salah’ Bunya, Innocent ‘Mpenjani’ Ndebele, Tatenda ‘Haaland’ Rukanda, Kudzanai Ndoro, Blessing ‘Bhule’ Matewerei, Godfrey Madziva and Kudzai ‘Sulu’ Bunya, while favourites, All Stars, who scooped the Africa Day social soccer tournament boasts of evergreen players such as Tawanda “Kiwa” Mutungwe, Byron Murai, Tendai “Big Ro” Sithole, John “Kobes” Hore and Tichaona Kamba.
“Preparations are at an advanced stage and we are excited with the response that we are receiving from individuals and various stakeholders. Teams should come together to celebrate the life of our father who was an iconic soccer fanatic and played a critical role in promoting soccer in Rusape and beyond. The family has decided to mark 10 years of his death this year with a social soccer tournament. We are confident that the tournament will be a success. There will be a lot of prizes to be won, including a trophy and booze. All participating winners will walk away with lots of prizes,” said the tournament’s spokesperson, Shungu ‘Boss Lady’ Chidawanyika, who is also the All Stars chairperson.
