Munhumutapa Juniors draw sets up double contests in Bulawayo

Mpopoma Sports Academy and Maningi FC Juniors will meet in both girls’ age groups, while Sombvubu High School will chase two semi-final places after Wednesday’s draw for the ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup Juniors Tournament. Bulawayo will host the Under-14 and Under-16 boys’ and girls’ competitions on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 November 2026.

Young Warriors Assistant Coach Wilson Mutekede and ZIFA General Secretary Yvonne Manwa conducted the draw at the Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare. ZIFA President Nqobile Magwizi was among the football stakeholders who attended as schools, academies and junior clubs learned who they would face in Bulawayo.

“Dream2030 starts at grassroots level. A boy or girl playing for a school or a local academy needs regular competitive matches and a clear route to the next level. This tournament gives young players a chance to test themselves against new opponents at Under-14 and Under-16 level. Those are important steps on the journey towards senior football,” Magwizi said.

The tournament format provides for three groups of four in each category. The winners of Groups A, B and C qualify automatically for the semi-finals, with the best runner-up across the three groups taking the fourth place. A side that misses out on top spot could therefore still have a stake in the results of the other two groups.

Familiar opponents in the girls’ draw

Mpopoma Sports Academy and Maningi FC Juniors landed together in Group B at both Under-14 and Under-16 level. Vengere FC Juniors also feature in the younger age group, while Chimoby Football Academy and Vhembe Stars Academy complete the Under-16 quartet.

There is a similar twist in Group C, where Young Sables Soccer Academy and MWOS Queens Juniors will face each other in both age groups. Their Under-14 sides will meet Chimbudzi Primary School and Midlands Football Club Juniors. At Under-16 level, Rufaro High School and Betta Bullets Academy Queens will contest the same group.

Duhamzondo Primary School will take on Power II Academy, Mutukwa Academy and Herentals Juniors in Under-14 Group A. In the corresponding Under-16 group, Sombvubu High School will face Mutoko Central, Auckland Queens Juniors and CAPS United Royals Academy. Sombvubu supporters will have a particular interest in both Under-16 competitions, with the school’s boys also drawn in Group A.

School teams take on the academies

Cam & Motor Primary School have three academy opponents in the Under-14 boys’ competition. Their Group A campaign brings them up against Gifts Academy, Genesis Soccer Academy and Scottland Academy. Lobengula Primary School, meanwhile, will pursue a semi-final place in Group C alongside Betta Bullets Academy, Ingangula and Bright Stars Soccer Academy.

In Group B, Lobengula United Juniors will meet Lowveld Football Development Academy, Hauna Sweepers Academy and Skedza Academy. Skedza supporters will also be able to follow their Under-16 boys in Bulawayo. They, too, landed in Group B, where they will face Biya 4 Academy, Triangle Legends FC Juniors and FC Reactors Juniors.

“When you come up against unfamiliar opponents, you have to read the game for yourself. I’d like to see the players ask for the ball, try things and trust the work they have done with their coaches,” Mutekede said.

Sombvubu High School’s Under-16 boys will test themselves against Baslac Sports Academy, BUSE Academy and Black Hunters Academy. Group C brings together Rusununguko High School, Sheasham Academy, Baobab Rovers Juniors and MWOS Juniors.

With just over two weeks between the draw and kick-off, coaches can now prepare for specific opponents. For followers of Mpopoma and Maningi, the draw offers an intriguing question across the two days in Bulawayo. Can one academy get the better of the other at both age levels, or will honours be shared?

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