Top 8 tourney to kick start Byo Junior League

Sport
TEAMS that finished in the top eight of the Bulawayo Province Junior League Serie A League last year have been selected to take part in the second edition of the Emakhandeni Legends tournament set for next month.

TEAMS that finished in the top eight of the Bulawayo Province Junior League Serie A League last year have been selected to take part in the second edition of the Emakhandeni Legends tournament set for next month.

SAKHELENI NXUMALO SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

Zifa Bulawayo Province official, Mkhululi Mthunzi, told this publication that the tournament which is bankrolled by South Africa-based former footballers from Emakhandeni suburb will be the 2015 season opener.

“The launch for this year’s edition of the Emakhandeni Legends tournament will be held this coming Monday and a draw will be conducted on the day to determine how the teams are going to square up,” Mthunzi said.

Bantu Rovers are the defending champions following their 4-3 victory over archrivals Highlanders in last year’s final. Highlanders juniors will have a chance to avenge last year’s defeat as they are part of the tournament again this year.

Other teams that will battle for the coveted title include Chicken Inn, Lobengula Miracle Centre, hosts Emakhandeni, Ajax Hotspurs, Talent Vision and Mpumelelo who have since morphed into Zimbabwe Saints juniors.

Five former football players all based in South Africa, namely Mthulisi Sibanda, Albert Tiago, Elias Ngoma, Nhlanhla “Khandalebhasi” Ndlovu and Mlungisi Moyo, who hail from Emakhandeni, sponsor the tourney.

Mthunzi urged other former footballers and the corporate world to emulate the gesture by the Emakhandeni Legends.

“We are grateful for the continued support given to our future stars by these former players and it is our wish that others will follow suit,” he said .

“Such initiatives help build a better future for our football and our wish is for the corporate world to chip in so that the tournament could continue to grow in strength.”

The tournament venue and dates will be revealed at the launch.