The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
MANICALAND will know its representative at the exciting NASH-Proton and Surrey Under-20 boys’ national football fete by end of the day today (Friday) after the provincial finals being held at Chibuwe High School in Chipinge District.
The national finals are scheduled for Bulawayo next Thursday and Friday.
The annual NASH-Proton and Surrey Under-20 boys’ national football competition gets into its fifth edition this year, amid expectations of more exciting contests between participating teams following the lifting of the Covid-19 related preventative protocols.
National Association of School Heads (NASH) head in charge of football, John Muyocha said the lifting of the Covid-19 related regulations is expected to add value and entertainment to the competition this year.
“Last year a few districts participated at provincial level after some districts failed to reach the 70 percent Covid-19 vaccination target. This year all the seven districts are participating and we are having the usual 12 teams. Therefore, competition is expected to be very high and exciting,” said Muyocha.
Last year’s provincial winners were Muzokomba High School from Buhera who bowed out in the national quarter finals.
Muyocha said: “They (Muzokomba High) tried their best since it was their first time to reach that level. We hope we will be able to produce another representative as a province that will go beyond what Muzokomba High achieved.”
In today’s provincial finals, Makoni District will have two representatives in Mavhudzi ZIMFEM High School and Santaguru High, while Mutare District will also have two representatives in Marange and Chitora high schools respectively.
Nyanga District representatives were yet to be announced at the time of going to Press.
Gaza High will represent Chipinge District, while Ndima Government High School will carry the Chimanimani District flag.
St Augustine’s High will be Mutasa District’s representatives, while Buhera District will have two representatives in St John’s and Nyashanu high schools respectively.
Host team, Chibuwe and provincial defending champions, Muzokomba High School will also compete.
The NASH-Proton and Surrey Under-20 boys’ national football tournament is one of the few high schools football competitions remaining after several others went off the radar over the years, including the once prestigious Cope Coca Cola Under-15 boys and Under-17 girls annual competitions.
