Chronicle (2 July 2014) Binga school in Copa Coca-Cola national finals July 2, 2014 Sport Nkosilathi Sibanda Sports Reporter CHINONGE Secondary school in Binga will represent Matabeleland North province in the Copa Coca-Cola boys Under-16 football national finals.This is a case of tables turning in the province’s schools football long dominated by traditional powerhouses Marist, Gloag, Inyathi, David Livingstone, Gebhuza and Hwange. It is a first time for a school from Binga to represent the province in one of the country’s prestigious competitions. Chinonge, situated in deep remote Lusulu village, entered this year’s edition of the Copa Coca-Cola as underdogs. The school team uses one ball and a couple of boots at training. Owing to support from parents who sold grain and fish to fund the team, Chinonge Secondary’s boys lived up to their billing despite their inadequacy. Last Friday, the Binga School eased into the final and beat much fancied Gloag High 3-2 through the dreaded penalty shootout after both schools failed to find the net in regulation time. From the first round of the provincial knockouts, the school showed a determination to win. Outclassing Regina Mundi Secondary School with a solitary goal was enough to pave way for glory in the semi-final. Drawn in a group with Marist, Gloag and Nkayi High, the Binga school completed an unbeaten run up to the final. Goal minder Honest Nyoni, was the toast of the tournament, having saved goals that could have spelt doom for the team. Lunguza Ndhlovu, the National Association of Secondary school Heads (Nash), Head-in- charge of Football for Mat North, said Chinonge’s qualification was a sign that the sport is developing in the province. “No one expected Chinonge to achieve this. It came as a surprise that a team from the rural areas will represent the province in the finals. “We are proud of the school. Football is reaching remote areas previously shut out from sport competitions. This must be a warning to other schools that football talent is now widespread,” said Ndhlovu. Matthew Sengere of Coca-Cola was full of praises for Chinonge, saying the qualification of the rural school for the national finals was what Copa Coca-Cola sought to achieve. “There is nothing as encouraging as having a team so underrated making it to the top. Competitions like these are there to expose talent and I am glad that Copa Coca-Cola has put a smile on the faces of the Binga folk.” Although the province celebrates this achievement, it is not so for the team. With only one ball shared by all the school’s teams and a handful of worn out boots, the coaches are troubled at the prospect of playing against other provinces. Coach Lloyd Mteliso said in the three years since the school was established, they are yet to get proper training equipment. “We have one ball that we use for training and games with other schools in Binga. It is a sad situation in that some of our players have never worn football boots. “Our journey has not been easy considering that it was the boys’ parents that funded the trip to the provincial finals. Parents had to sell grain. “When we started at Copa Coca-Cola, other schools laughed us off. We were just little boys in a pool of giants. What pushes us further is our drive for success.” Chinonge make the trip to Churchill Boys High on July 18 with the small fry tag. The possibility that Chinonge might defy the odds and advance further than expected underpins this year’s edition of the Copa Coca-Cola national finals.
Posted on: Thu, 03 Jul 2014 14:00:50 +0000
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