HARARE - A roller coaster of emotions is set to engulf the high density suburb of Highfield when budding footballers battle for the honour to be crowned Kings and Queens of the 26th Copa Coca Cola tournament.
The finals will roll into action at the Zimbabwe Grounds today amongst other venues before culminating in the finals at Gwanzura Stadium.
Twelve teams in the boys’ and girls’ categories will carry the hopes of their respective provinces in a tournament in which bragging rights will be on the line.
Defending boys’ champions Chemhanza High are well poised to make it two out of two after a blazing through the Mashonaland East provincial finals a fortnight ago.
Chemhanza showed their worth by emerging unbeaten in the provincials despite already having automatic qualification to this weekend’s finals.
But the Tatenda Tumba-captained side will be wary of a tough group they find themselves in which includes 2007 champions Pamushana and Mashonaland Central representatives Chipadze.
Pamushana have two CAPS United attached players in the form of striker Craig Ngundu and midfielder Kudakwashe Tsvamuno at their disposal and they are likely to be major contenders for the title.
Harare’s Oriel Boys High will also be fancying their chances having confirmed their place at this year’s finals with some breathtaking performances.
Oriel discarded Churchill en route to qualifying for the finals and that itself should be a major boost for the Chisipite based school.
Four-time champions Churchill will have to pull the rabbit out of the hat if they are to cause any upset especially considering they only made it to these finals by virtue of being hosts.
Mzilikazi High are another title contender.
And they will hope to write their own piece of history by winning the Copa finals an unprecedented fifth time having already won it on four separate occasions.
The Bulawayo schoolboy giants are currently seating on four Copa titles together with Churchill and Hippo Valley.
The girls’ category is set for some intriguing battles with very little to separate the sides on paper.
Vainona will, however, be the team to watch once again as they have proven track record of getting results when it matters most.
Defending champions Chidyamakono will also not be giving up their crown without a fight.
Whichever way the results of these finals will go, one thing is certain, we are set for an absorbing finale.