MAJESA in history books

01 Jul, 2022 - 00:07 0 Views
MAJESA in history books Secretary for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Edgars Seenza (right) gets a feel of feel of the trophy MAJESA won at the Marvelous Nakamba Foundation invitational tournament held in Bulawayo last weekend together with the academy's co-directors Charles Chave and his wife Nomsa. - Picture: Tinai Nyadzayo

The ManicaPost

 

Ray Bande
Senior Reporter

 

FORGET about the larger than life exploits of Tanganda FC, whose immortal memories linger in the minds of many almost 30 years on, as the star-studded Class of ’93 team remains the only club from Manicaland Province to win a major national silverware in domestic top-flight football competitions.

Forget about the basketball luminaries of Mutare, whose exceptionally gifted players under the Mercenaries banner snatched the 2019 edition of the coveted national championship away in Bulawayo.

Forget about the exciting Mountaineers’ 2021 squad that put up an impressive display in domestic cricket competitions to win the Pro50 competition and went on to finish second in the T20 tournament before ending in the same position in the Logan Cup contest.

This week, Manicaland shifted its attention to flamboyant junior football ensemble – Manicaland Juniors of Excellence (MAJESA) – who etched their name in the annals of national junior football history after becoming the inaugural winners of the Marvellous Nakamba Foundation (MNF) Tournament played in Bulawayo last weekend.

Typical of any achievement worth the effort, the road to the Marvellous Nakamba Foundation Tournament championship was not a stroll in the park for the determined academy.

The Charles Chave-owned team suffered a 0-3 defeat in the opening match against highly rated Dynamos.

The result was influenced by tiresome travelling arrangements that saw the Mutare side arriving in the City of Kings late, coupled with stage fright which resulted in two own goals in that match.

MAJESA lost their second match by a slender one-nil margin to Highlanders and even though they scored in that encounter, the goal was disallowed.
It appears the Mutare side saved their best for the last.

MAJESA summoned all their confidence and skill in the last match of the group stage and convincingly won 6-0 against Njube Sundowns, a result that earned them a place in the last four after Dynamos was disqualified for using an over-aged player.

In the semi-finals, MAJESA outplayed Ajax 3-0 before stunning Highlanders 2-1 to be crowned the Marvellous Nakmba Foundation Tournament inaugural champions.

Thus, in his speech during the welcome back ceremony held at a local hotel on Tuesday morning, Chave said: “This was not an easy thing to achieve. I really want to thank the players, the academy’s leadership as well as all key stakeholders who kept us going.

“We hope to build on this achievement as it now an important part of our CV as an academy. It will certainly open avenues for us and we take this as an achievement, not only for Mutare, but Manicaland Province at large.”

Speaking at the same occasion that was attended by several key stakeholders in football structures of Manicaland, guest of honour and Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Nokhuthula Matsikenyere, who was represented by Secretary for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Edgars Seenza, said: “Your success in the Marvellous Nakamba Foundation Tournament is ample evidence that you were determined and disciplined as a team. In fact, the formation of community based clubs is part of Government’s thrust in developing sport and it forms part of a thematic area in the National Development Strategy (NDS1). I really want to applaud parents who are providing their children with all the necessary support to play the game of football.”

Manica Diamonds’ chairman and former FIFA Panel assistant referee, Masimba Chihowa said: “I only want to remind these players who have made us proud to remain focused and disciplined. The reason why that tournament was held in Bulawayo is that that is the place or region where Marvellous Nakamba comes from. In the same measure, never forget your home area as you grow with your careers.”

Apart from the US$20 000 prize money that the Mutare side walked away with, there were individual awards that MAJESA also dominated.

Their captain, Prosper ‘Kante’ Padera was named the player-of-the-tournament, while teammate, Tafadzwa Magadu was named goalkeeper-of-the-tournament.

The tournament’s most skillful player award went to MAJESA’s Norest Masembo, while the club was also named the most presentable team of the tournament.

 

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