By McGeorge Mbare
MATEBELELAND South NASH Under-20 champions Tongwe High School are set to participate in the inaugural Inter Provincial Schools Challenge Trophy, scheduled for Saturday 24 October and Sunday 25 October 2026, in Hwange.
The tournament is sponsored by Hwange Colliery Company through its football club, Hwange FC, popularly known as Chipangano.
Tongwe High School will compete alongside Tsholotsho High School from Matabeleland North, Mpopoma High School from Bulawayo Province, Nkayi Secondary School from Matabeleland North, Nkulumane High School from Bulawayo Province and fellow Matabeleland South representatives Bengo Secondary School.
The tournament promises lucrative rewards for the participating schools, with the winners set to walk away with a grand prize of US$7,000 in cash, a soccer kit, a trophy, 20 pairs of soccer boots and three match balls.
The runners-up will receive US$4,500, a floating trophy, a soccer kit, 20 pairs of soccer boots, and two match balls.
The third-placed team will pocket US$2,500 and receive a soccer kit and two match balls.
The fourth-placed team will walk away with US$1,000 in cash, a soccer kit and 2 match balls, while the teams finishing in fifth and sixth positions will each receive two match balls.
Tongwe High School has established itself as one of the leading schools in Beitbridge when it comes to identifying, nurturing and developing young football talent.
The school boasts a strong pool of players, with 16 of its footballers playing for Vhembe Stars Academy.
The academy’s senior team competes in the Central Region Soccer League, while its Under-19 side currently leads the log standings in the ZIFA Matabeleland South Division Two League.
Among the players making significant contributions to Vhembe Stars’ Under-19 team are goalkeeper Selector Mutenda, Brian Ndlovu, Relicious Moyo,Blessed Moyo and Joseph Mwale Ngwenya.
Over the years, Tongwe High School has demonstrated a strong commitment to developing young footballers and providing a platform for emerging talent to flourish.
Several players currently featuring for different teams in the Central Region Soccer League have passed through the school’s ranks.
They include Patrick Muleya of Vhembe Stars, Sam Mangavha and Phumudzo Ncube of Dulibadzimu, Dulibadzimu captain Ronaldino Muleya and Blessing Mambo, who turns out for West Nicholson.
As Tongwe High School prepares for the inaugural Chipangano Inter-Provincial Schools Challenge Trophy, the school will be hoping to clinch title just like in other competitions.