Maningi FC win inaugural Ten Toes Africa girls’ U-18 football tournament
Northern Region Division One outfit Maningi FC’s developmental side were crowned champions of the inaugural Ten Toes Africa U-18 girls’ football tournament on Saturday.
The invitational eight team tournament was played at Harare International Schools (HIS).
Three goals in both halves were enough for Maningi to cruise past Mufakose Queens.
The thrilling final which saw young talented girls displaying individual brilliance finished 6-0 in favour of Maningi who dominated the entire match with some exquisite passing.
Maningi also dominated individual awards that were given at the tournament.
Their goalkeeper Delight Matigwene walked away with the golden glove, lanky forward Tanyaradzwa Chihoro was the tournament’s top goal scorer with 14 goals while the duo of Dadisai Dangirwa and Tecla Machekera were named as the Most Valuable Players.
The pair of Tinotenda Kambamura of Aces Youth Soccer Academy and Anna Dzimagi of St John’s School won Fair Play awards.
In an interview with Nehanda Radio after the tournament, Ten Toes Africa Regional Director Allan Johnson, a former national team and Motor Action defender said:
“This was our first girls only tournament and we will definitely be having more tournaments for them. We are also looking at having a u14 tournament soon.
“They played extremely well, and it shows how much talent we have in the country.”
Johnson was delighted by the presence of veteran CAF instructor Nelson Matongorere who was the guest of owner and the ZIFA Technical Director Wilson Mutekede.
“I was extremely humbled by having Mr (Nelson) Matongorera and especially Mr (Wilson) Mutekede from ZIFA in attendance.
“It shows how much he (Mutekede) believes in football development and all issues to do with our beautiful sport.”
Ten Toes Africa is a non-profit organization which was started by former national team player Miguel Lemming who is now based in the United States of America (USA).
After visiting Zimbabwe in 2004 he went to watch kids playing soccer barefoot, and that’s where he got the inspiration to name the non profit organization Ten Toes Africa.
Their vision is to transform lives through mentorship, education and sport while the aim is transforming leadership of young boys and girls, to become future leaders in their families, schools, local communities, region and country.
