OnSport Reporter
Highlanders captain and long serving shot stopper, Ariel “Mangoye” Sibanda has pledged to reward excelling emerging goal keepers at the Nkayi Soccer Academy Youth Tournament set for this weekend.
The youth football tournament involving more that 15 teams will be held at Nkayi High School and features teams from Matabeleland North and Bulawayo Provinces.
The Bosso captain said as part of encouraging upcoming goalkeepers to grow in the game he will be rewarding them with gloves.
He said the goalkeeper of the tournament will walk away with gloves, soccer boots and a jersey he has worn in Highlanders colours.
“We need to encourage the youngsters as they grow in the sport and I felt this tournament presents an apt opportunity for me to contribute in a small way.
“You never know who is could be inspiring with this gesture but I believe the young ones look up to us and once we make effort to inspire them, they will go all out to do their best in the field of play,” said Mangoye.
The competition that will run from 19 to 21 December will ffeaturetwo sections for the boys in the Under-17 and Under-15 age groups while for the girls it will be an open age category.
Teams taking part in the Under- 17 section include Highlanders, Nkayi Soccer Academy, Ceballos, Lupane City FC, Inyathi Stars, Ama 53 Select, Gwayi Valley Cranes, Matshalayile.
Somvubu Academy, Corinthians SOE, Super Eagles, Nkayi, Highlanders, Lupane City, Gwayi Valley Cranes and ama 53 Select will compete in the Under – 15 age group.
Nkayi, Sibanye, Amazwangendaba Royal Queens, Lupane City FC, Somvubu Academy, Corinthians SOE will battle it out in the girls category, boys 17 and Under, boys 15 and Under and girls-Open.
Several companies have partnered with Nkayi Soccer Academy in hosting the tourney and these include Pro Dairy, Revive, NAC and ZB Bank, CIMAS , TX Money Transfer.