Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
LACK of basic skills even at Premiership level bears testimony to the general negation of junior football — though the 8th edition of Mai Hondo Tournament has come and gone — the value of incubating young talent remains a gargantuan task for a fraternity that has literally ignored development of junior football.
Unlike yesteryears when Mutare used to host a number of junior football tournaments such as the Lloyd Mutasa contest, Yes Sports Programme, Norway qualifier, Dairiboard Tournament, Manicaland Youth Games, Haarlem Trophy, Heroes and Independence competitions — currently the Mai Hondo annual contest is the only competition affording youngsters a credible platform to showcase their talents.
Some of the junior football tournaments that came in recent years were just a flash in the pan as they failed the test of longevity and faded into oblivion.
No wonder, during the event, Mutare District Development Coordinator, Tendai Mapenzi, who stood in for the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Misheck Mugadza, heartily thanked the Mai Hondo Associates for giving youths an opportunity to showcase their talents.
Last Saturday afternoon, at the refurbished Chisamba Grounds, in the sprawling suburb of Sakubva and Mutare’s citadel of junior football talent development — La Sakubva —extended their dominance of the Mai Hondo competition after clinching their third gold medal in the Under-15s boys football competition.
La Sakubva got the better of old nemesis, Sheckon Stars FC to win the 2024 edition of the Mai Hondo boys football competition.
Individual netball awards saw the best centre accolade being given to Lizzel Samanga of St Joseph’s Primary School, while the top goal scorer award was handed over to Patience Gurete also of St Joseph’s.
The player of the tournament was Beauty Chimunhu of Chisamba Primary School, while a Matsure of St Joseph’s Primary School snatched the coach of the tournament.
In girls’ football, the best midfielder award and best D-link awards were given to Samantha Mushonga of Nyamauru High School.
Nyamauru continued with their dominance in girl’s football, with the goalkeeper of the tournament award going to Gettilder Tsurumba from the same school, while their gaffer, Admire Ngangira, was named coach of the tournament.
Vastly gifted Nyamauru’s Bethel Kondo was named player of the tournament, while Anita Ncube was given the golden boot award.
In the boys’ category, the best midfielder award was given to Junior Takudzwa Matondo of Sheckon FC, while the best defender award went to Obey Gutukunuhwa of La Sakubva.
Sheckon FC’s Godfrey Dandadzi was named the goalkeeper of the tournament, while the golden boot award was shared among three players — Alvin Mutonga of La Sakubva, Treasurer Zvinodavanhu MAJESA Academy and Munyaradzi Mubocha (First Step Academy).
The best D-link award was given to Harare-based Blue Stars’ Anold Mhenyu.
The player of the tournament was Mutonga of La Sakubva, while the coach of the tournament was Timothy ‘Sicho’ Masachi of La Sakubva.
Most disciplined team award went to FC Vengere of Rusape.
