EIGHT girls’ football teams now know the path they must navigate to claim the LM Zaka Girls Festival crown after Saturday’s draw split the contenders into two competitive groups ahead of the October 24 showdown at St Joseph High School in Jerera.
St Joseph High lead Group A alongside Mutimwi High, Chimbwembwe and Magura, while Mutsambwa High head Group B featuring Dzoro High, Maningi Youth Soccer Academy and Rudhanda High.
National Association of Secondary School Heads secretary Tawanda Nzvenga conducted the draw in the presence of representatives from all eight participating teams.
Mutimwi emerged as the first team from the draw and joined St Joseph in Group A, before Dzoro followed into Group B alongside Mutsambwa. Organisers then alternated the remaining teams between the two pools.
The format will demand consistency from the opening whistle, with only the top two teams from each group progressing to the semi-finals.
Group A winners will face Group B runners-up, while the Group B winners will tackle the second-placed team from Group A for places in the final.
Organisers have scheduled 16 matches during the festival. Group encounters will run for two 20-minute halves separated by a five-minute interval, with playing time increasing for the semi-finals and final.
St Joseph sports director and local tournament chairperson Blessed Matereke said preparations were gathering pace ahead of the competition.
“The preparations for the LM Zaka Girls Festival have been going well. This is a place where the juniors and the seniors come together to showcase their talent,” Matereke said.
Maningi Youth Soccer Academy adds an interesting dimension to Group B after establishing its base at St Joseph and building its squad around several players from the school.
The draw keeps Maningi and St Joseph apart during the preliminary stage but leaves open the possibility of the two sides meeting in the knockout rounds.
Maningi coach Maxwell Musana expects a demanding competition.
LM Auctioneers founder and director Lewis Muzhara was represented at the draw by former Zimbabwe Women’s Premier Soccer League chairperson Theresa Maguraushe.
LM Auctioneers has also expanded its support by committing to provide playing kits for all eight teams. The initial arrangement had catered only for the two finalists.
