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Hippo High School Finishes Second in Zimbabwe

Written by Pritchard Matambo

Hippo Valley High School hockey team finished the hockey schools season as the second best team in Zimbabwe after succumbing to a 2-0 defeat to Falcon College in a high tempered final match at Khumalo Hockey stadium in the Super 12 tournament.

The Super 12 tournament brings together the schools which would have finished amongst the top twelve in the schools league. This year, the top 12 teams comprised of Falcon college, Peterhouse, Lomagundi College, Prince Edward, Watershed, Petra, Eaglesvale, South Eastern College, Churchill, Christian Brother's College and Gateway.

By finishing 2^nd, Hippo High School improved on last year's 4^th place finish. The Hippo High school team which is part of Hippo Hockey's development process showed no signs of mercy from their first game and looked more threatening from the first whistle until they gave it away in the final match.

Their rival from the Lowveld, South Eastern College, were unlucky to face the more determined Hippo in the first match as they found themselves being thrashed 4-0. Arnold Mpofu grabbed in 2 goals whilst Luckson Sikisa and Oliver weighed in with one apiece to seal SEC's fate.

The young Hippos next met Eaglesvale in their second match of the group stage. They proved beyond no doubt that they were one of the top teams at the event. The midfielder quadrant of Tafara Murehwa, Patron Chikanya, Lukson Sikisa and the Captain Anorld Mpofu immediately took control of the game and Eaglesvale players were left with shadows to follow as they struggled to withstand the Hippo pressure. The dominance was beyond the 4-1 score line as strikers were slightly shy in front of the goals. The Hippo defence was caught unaware as the ever fighting Eaglesvale snatched a late consolation goal. The miscommunication from the defenders proved no harm as they progressed to the semi-final stage as group winners.

The semi-finals match against Marondera was based at Peterhouse House. Hippo have played the team 4 times already this season losing once, winning twice and drawing once to the team. It was tightly contested match as the action swung from both ends in search of the elusive goal. Despite their physical ability, hardworking and never give-up spirit, Peterhouse couldn't match the game winning strategic plan which was applied by Hippo. It was a nail biting semi-final clash which required some creative involvement by the technical team. Luckson Sikisa came to the rescue of Hippo High with two goals and Peterhouse only managed one. The defensive quartet comprised of Benson Sithole, Emmanuel Nyambi, Pardon Musarava and Lawrence Musoni provided an impermeable solid cover at the back with the goalkeeper Sibo Mangena producing some superb serves.

It was joy and jubilations as the whistle was blown as it signalled a date in the finals against Falcon College. It was an ill-tempered and physic al game which gave the umpires a torrid time as they battled to control the game. Tempers flared soon after kick-off when, much to the disbelief of the players, the umpire ruled a goal with dubious judgement. This caused a stoppage time but the decision was already made. They tried to grab an equalizer but it was all in vain. The tempo intensified as time ticked away, but a second goal by Falcon saw the Hippos going down 2-0.

It was not surprising that 11 of the Hippo High players were rewarded for their superb performance during the tournament when they were called for the Zimbabwe U/21 Nationals trial. The Zimbabwe U/21 team will compete in the Junior World Cup Qualifier to be held in South Africa in October this year.

Hippo Valley High School Line-up

Goalkeeper: Sibo Mangena
Defenders: Benson Sithole, E Nyambie, P Musarava, L Zuku
Midfielders: L Sikisa, T Murehwa, A Mpofu (C), P Chikanya
Strikers: S Mangena, Oliver, E Mufandaedza, T Mushavi

Zimbabwe National Schools 2012 Final Log Standing

Falcon College
Hippo High School
Lomagundi
Peterhouse
Prince Edward
Watershed
Petra
Eaglevale College
South Eastern College
Churchill
Christian Brothers College
Gateway

Upcoming Action

This weekend, all the action is focused on the IPT. The Senior Hippo Men's team have stepped up their preparations for the upcoming Inter Provincial Tournament which will be held in Bulawayo over the Heroes Holiday from the 11^th to the 13^th of August at Khumalo Hockey Stadium. The tournament will see 7 teams competing for the coveted title. The Hippo team lost their title last year to Matabeleland and they are hungry to return the trophy to the Lowveld.

The following week there is hockey at national league level, this is usually played on Astro Turf in Bulawayo or Harare. For the first time ever, the Hippo Valley Hockey Team has been awarded a rare opportunity to stage a national league game on their home grass surface. On the ~~18^th/19^th~~ 25^th/26^th of August, Hippo and Huletts hockey teams will host the Bulawayo giants BAC and Kings Hockey Club at Hippo Valley Primary School hockey fields.

UPDATE: Please be advised that the Hockey Matches which were scheduled for Hippo Primary School on the 18/19 have been postponed to 25/26 August 2012.

Last Updated on Friday, 17 August 2012

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Hippo High School Finishes Second in Zimbabwe

Hippo Valley High School Line-up

Zimbabwe National Schools 2012 Final Log Standing