Mzilikazi Juniors swept through their matches to win the Johannes Ngodzo Under-15 soccer tournament last weekend. The team beat all three rivals in a perfect run of games.
They started strong with a 1-0 win against Real Stars. Their momentum grew as they topped Oasis Nguboyenja 2-0. The final game brought a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Bulawayo Tigers. These wins gave them nine points and the championship trophy. Real Stars earned second place with four points.
The same teams return to the field today for Under-17 games. This yearly event honors Johannes Ngodzo, a former star player who came up through Highlanders youth teams. His career shone bright with awards and titles. At just 15, he won Player of the Year. He claimed several league wins with Highlanders before a 2003 injury ended his time on the field.
Ngodzo leads Adachi FC in the Zifa Southern Region League. He beamed with pride as he watched the young players compete. "The talent level amazes me. These kids play with skill and speed. They show real heart on the field," he said.
He praised their behavior as much as their gameplay. "They act like pros, both during matches and after. That matters just as much as scoring goals," Ngodzo added. "Many will go far in soccer."
The coach sees big things ahead for the Under-17 games. "The older players bring more skills and smarts to the field. We find new stars at every tournament," he said. Ngodzo believes these events help grow soccer in Zimbabwe. Young players learn from each game and get better with practice.
Game scores tell the story: Bulawayo Tigers beat Oasis Nguboyenja 2-0. Mzilikazi Juniors edged Real Stars 1-0. Mzilikazi kept rolling with a 2-0 win over Oasis. Real Stars tied Bulawayo Tigers 1-1. Real Stars then beat Oasis 2-0. Mzilikazi sealed their perfect run by topping Bulawayo Tigers 2-1.
They started strong with a 1-0 win against Real Stars. Their momentum grew as they topped Oasis Nguboyenja 2-0. The final game brought a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Bulawayo Tigers. These wins gave them nine points and the championship trophy. Real Stars earned second place with four points.
The same teams return to the field today for Under-17 games. This yearly event honors Johannes Ngodzo, a former star player who came up through Highlanders youth teams. His career shone bright with awards and titles. At just 15, he won Player of the Year. He claimed several league wins with Highlanders before a 2003 injury ended his time on the field.
Ngodzo leads Adachi FC in the Zifa Southern Region League. He beamed with pride as he watched the young players compete. "The talent level amazes me. These kids play with skill and speed. They show real heart on the field," he said.
He praised their behavior as much as their gameplay. "They act like pros, both during matches and after. That matters just as much as scoring goals," Ngodzo added. "Many will go far in soccer."
The coach sees big things ahead for the Under-17 games. "The older players bring more skills and smarts to the field. We find new stars at every tournament," he said. Ngodzo believes these events help grow soccer in Zimbabwe. Young players learn from each game and get better with practice.
Game scores tell the story: Bulawayo Tigers beat Oasis Nguboyenja 2-0. Mzilikazi Juniors edged Real Stars 1-0. Mzilikazi kept rolling with a 2-0 win over Oasis. Real Stars tied Bulawayo Tigers 1-1. Real Stars then beat Oasis 2-0. Mzilikazi sealed their perfect run by topping Bulawayo Tigers 2-1.
