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Raymond Jaravaza .
CELEBRATED as the institution that nurtured Warriors stars Teenage Hadebe, Marvellous Nakamba and Kudakwashe Mahachi as teething young soccer players, Bantu Academy is once again scouting for future football gems through a scholarship programme in the USA.
Bantu Academy will on 25 November hold trials for players in the Under-18 and Under-21 age groups at the Busters Sports Club to scout for players that will be given an opportunity to study in the United States of America on academic and football scholarships.
Four American coaches have been invited for the trials where 25 players in the Under-18 category will be shortlisted together with the same number of players in the Under-21 age groups.
“So far two of the American coaches have confirmed that they will be in Bulawayo and we are just waiting for the other two to send us written confirmations, apart from that we are expecting young boys to come to Busters Sports Club in their numbers for a once in a lifetime opportunity to study and play football in the USA,” said Bantu Academy spokesman Nduduzo Mdlalose.
From the 25 players in each age group, the American coaches will whittle the number of players down to the chosen talented youngsters who will fly out to the USA to start the scholarships in 2019.
“As Bantu Academy we do not have the definite number of players that will be selected for the scholarships, that decision will be made by the scouts from the pool of boys that will come through for the trials,” said Mdlalose.
Players are expected to bring along their academic records in the form of last schools term’s report cards or copies of O- level results, where applicable, and a brief profile of their football career as well as $15 participation fee.
Copies of valid passports are a must.
“We are offering academic and sports scholarships so a good educational background is a prerogative,” he said.
To accommodate students that are at boarding school, Bantu Academy will hold another round of trials at the same venue on 7 December, a day after the schools’ academic year comes to an end.
Online Reporter