Mpopoma High School was this afternoon crowned the NASH U17 Boys Bulawayo Champions after beating Gifford High School 1 nil in an Entertaining final played at Gifford High School.

This year’s tournament featured 12 teams for the first time as opposed to previous tournament’s 8 teams.

It was a pleasure to the eye watching young boys display immense talent despite lack of corporate support. The sponsors of the tournament Aranel pulled out in he last minute.

Mpopoma High scored the solitary goal in the first half courtesy of the tall gangling striker Nathaniel. Though Gifford did put up a fighting spirit towards the last minutes of the game – a combination of missed chances, great defending and some wonderful goalkeeping kept the scoreline in favour of Mpopoma. Mpopoma will represent Bulawayo in the NASH National finals set for later this year.

Mpopoma had beaten Milton high school 1 nil in the semi final while Gifford High school thumped CBC 3 nil in the other semi final.

The 3rd place battle was won by CBC who beat Milton 1 nil.

Other teams who participated in this year’s tournament were the defending champions Mzilikazi who were surprising bundled out in the group stages, St Columba’s, Sobukazi, Mandwandwe, Induna, Amhlophe, Pumula and St Bernads.

Gifford will on the weekend of Friday and Saturday the 8th and the 9th of July host the exciting U16 Boys Cocacola Nash Provincial finals and the U7 Girls U17 Girls Cocacola Nash Provincial finals