Somvubu High School Shines at Orap Zenzele Isuzu Cup Tournament
In a remarkable showcase of rural talent, Somvubu High School, based in Bubi District, Matabeleland North, made a stellar performance at the Orap Zenzele Isuzu Cup Tournament held at Gifford High School on Saturday.
The school’s girls’ team emerged victorious, beating Siyoka of Beitbridge 1-0 in the final. The boys’ team, on the other hand, lost 4-2 on penalties to Hwange Government High after a nil-all draw in regulation time.
Despite the boys’ loss, Somvubu High School’s girls team swept the accolades, with Aaliyah Dube being named the player of the tournament and sharing the top goal scorer award with her teammate Nolwazi Mathuthu, both netting five goals. Goalkeeper Sandra Ncube also registered a clean sheet.
Somvubu High School’s headmaster, Khumbulani Sibanda, attributed the team’s success to the school’s talent development initiative, which has been in place for several years. “This is a result of an investment in sport that we have done. From our plans, this has been all about choosing the right personnel in the coaching department and having the right resources,” he said.
The tournament, which was last held in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic, featured 16 teams from Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands, and Bulawayo Provinces. Gifford High School’s sports director, Collett Murombo, expressed gratitude to the sponsors, Autoworld Isuzu and the Organisation of Rural Associations for Progress (Orap), for their commitment to nurturing young talent in football.
In the 2019 edition, Mosi Oa Tunya High School of Victoria Falls won the boys’ competition, while Tongwe of Beitbridge took the gold in the girls’ contest. The resurgence of the tournament this year has demonstrated the wealth of sports talent in rural areas, with Somvubu High School’s performance serving as a testament to that.
