THE annual KB Kanyongo Football tournament enters third round this weekend with all eight teams taking part from around Mutoko in Mashonaland East aiming to book a place to the quarterfinals.
The tournament which is in its third-year running is held in honour of the late Kanyongo, father to the coordinator Gideon, who now resides in the United States.
Dip FC, who won the tournament last year after thumping Kanyongo FC 4-0 in the final currently anchor Group A. Other teams in the Group include last year’s finalists Kanyongo FC, Karonga FC and Manhemba FC.
Kanyongo and Karonga are currently tied at the top of Group A with three points while Manhemba and Dip are yet to register any points. Group B consists of Star City FC, Zisengwe FC, Gumbure FC and Chingondo FC.
And after their opening two matches, Star City currently sit on top with six points while Sisengwe and Gumbure are tied on three points with Chingondo anchoring the group without a point.
Gideon is excited with the level of competition being exhibited. “We are excited with the level of competition this time around. We are expecting some interesting matches this weekend as quarterfinal places beckon,” he said.
Last year, three budding youngsters from Mutoko were presented with a life-changing opportunity after they were identified to attend development trials at Harare giants Dynamos.
The three — Charles Katsande, Tinotendaishe Nyamanzi and goalkeeper Hilton Nyamakope — impressed at the annual KB Kanyongo Football tournament.
They were scouted by Dynamos coach Tonderai Ndiraya and his assistant coaches of Gift Muzadzi and Naison Muchekela, who graced the tournament before inviting them for further assessment in Harare.
The KB Kanyongo football tournament, which is sponsored by Kanyongo’s eight children, has been hailed for helping young children in the community to stay away from drugs while helping them concentrate on school.
The Kanyongo family embarked on a programme three years ago in which they are helping to combat early marriage and to raise girls’ confidence, aspirations and school attendance through sport in rural Mutoko.
The programme mainly targets the vulnerable groups and is also extended to the young boys in the community as a way of keeping them away from drugs while helping them concentrate on school. Apart from providing for the young children, the Kanyongo family has also moved to provide for the elderly people in the same community with foodstuff, which included rice, maize meal, cooking oil, flour and beans at the height of coronavirus (Covid-19).
Furthermore, football clubs in that area are also benefiting as they are receiving groceries making the family one of the individuals to offer a helping hand to the disadvantaged members of society.