SHARON NYAYA
MBERENGWA- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe run Chegato High School is in cloud nine after the U20 girls’ soccer team triumphed in the just ended Provincial competitions in Kwekwe.
The trophy is the first one by any Chegato sporting team in 35 years after the boys’ soccer team last won the 1987 National Dunlop Trophy and the first by a girls soccer team in the school’s 66 year history.
“The win relived the memories of the 1987 senior boys’ soccer team’s qualification and eventually lifting the National Dunlop Trophy, the equivalent of Coca Cola trophy now the girls qualified for the national competitions. The provincial games were held in Kwekwe where the team performed wonders by winning all the games to become Midlands Provincial Champions,” said senior teacher Gora Cleophas who could not hide his joy on behalf of Chegato High School Head, Ngara Morris.
Head coach of the team Tamuka Gumbo couldn’t hide his joy and heaped praises on the performance of his charges. He said, the girls displayed extraordinary team work, resilience and determination to win. He added that they were able to play according to their game plan and this gave them the long desired result.
Natso Shumba assistant coach of Chegato girls soccer team narrated how the strong girls pushed through their journey to make a name for themselves after they leave the mission school.
“The team wrote their own piece of history as they conceded only one goal in 21 matches which they won. Two friendlies 2, Zonal 4, District 5, ELCZ sports Gala 2023 5 and Province 5. For qualifying to national competitions at group stage they played 3 games and won 1-0 each game, semi finals they won 2-0 and finals they won 1-0 against Guinea Fowl girls soccer team from Gweru,” said an ecstatic Shumba.
Gora said that the girls started playing together a few years ago and it’s the first time to go beyond zonal level.
He added that the team that they have assembled is the strongest they ever had at the school as they also won the girls soccer trophy at the recently held annual ELCZ sports gala at Mnene High school beating other 7 other schools.
“It is an achievement that will go down in history of Chegato High School in its 66 years of existence. The girls and the coaches followed their game plan with great determination. This team has raised the Chegato flag high and we can walk with heads high.
“Go on girls go on. We are targeting the national finals now that are probably to be held from 20 to 21 next month,” added Gora.
Chegato High Head Ngara said, “I’m really humbled by this achievement. These girls have added value to their personal CVs, coach’s CV, team manager, sports director and the head’s CV. In fact, everyone is happy. We will do everything within our means to support them to be at the apex of the sport.”
