The football tournament organised by the Central Region Football Association (CRFA) commenced today at Owen Malijani Chigurugudu Square in Waliranji, Mchinji District.
Namitete Zitha and Extreme have reached the final after defeating Mitundu Baptist and Mchinji Villa, respectively. The losing teams will compete for third place at 12 noon.
Speaking to Mudziwathu Radio after the second match, Trust Nyirenda, the coach of Extreme FC, praised CRFA for organising the tournament.
“This competition is a great platform for our team. It helps us prepare effectively for the upcoming season and identify areas where we need to improve,” said Nyirenda.
He added that the final match on Sunday, 30th March 2025, against Namitete Zitha, will be highly competitive.
“We expect a tough game. Namitete Zitha is a strong side, but we are ready for the challenge. I urge local fans to come and support us,” Nyirenda said.
Meanwhile, Elia Phiri, the coach of Mchinji Villa, also expressed appreciation to CRFA for the tournament, stating that it has provided an opportunity to assess newly recruited players ahead of the National Division League.
“This tournament has been a great learning experience for our young players. Although we lost, I have seen promising talent, and I am confident that the team will improve,” said Phiri.
Phiri is optimistic that his players are overcoming their nerves and will soon develop composure in their gameplay.
“We are building confidence step by step. The more games we play, the more composed the team will become,” Phiri added.
Namitete Zitha defeated Mitundu Baptist 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, while Extreme secured a 1-0 victory.
