Under-20s crush South Africa

By Henry Makiwa
10 December 2007

A new star was born on Sunday when 18-year-old football wonder kid, Knowledge Musona, hammered a memorable hat trick for the Young Warriors that sank South Africa’s Amajita in South Africa. The 3-0 win ensured that Zimbabwe were crowned this years COSAFA Under-20 champions.

Musona rose from the bench to score with his first touch, seconds after coming on, and rounded off an amazing individual display with two further goals late into the game. Zimbabwe had been under pressure from the hosts from the first minute but turned the tables with the introduction of the talismanic Musona.

According to press reports from South Africa, the experienced duo of soccer star of the year finalist Ovidy Karuru of Masvingo United and Eastern Lion’s Darryl Nyandoro, also put up an impressive performance. The win brought consolation to Young Warriors and Highlanders manager Methembe Ndlovu who lost the championship to Harare giants Dynamos this season.

Zimbabwe’s Noel Soko voted the Goalkeeper Of the Tournament, while the Young Warriors won the Fair Play award from FIFA before rounding off with the crown for the Cosafa Championship trophy.

While the Young warriors were celebrating in South Africa, tears of agony engulfed the city of Hwange after the home club was relegated from the Premiership. Hwange succumbed to a 3-1 defeat to Highlanders on the last day of the season at Bulawayo’s Barbourfields stadium on Sunday. They join Bindura miners Mwana Africa and Black Rhinos in the unfashionable world of Division One football next year.

Army side Rhinos crashed into Division One for the second time since the inception of the Premiership 15 years ago. Mwana Africa, known as the Potato Boys, will now have to fight it out with Railstars, Zimbabwe Saints and Shabanie Mine in the battle for the sole ticket back into the Premiership next season.

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