admin
Paul Mundandi Sports Correspondent
DEVINE Khumalo of Mzilikazi High School and Leeroy Willie of Oriel Boys High are set to leave the country this morning aboard a South African Airways flight en route to Germany for a week-long Copa Coca-Cola training camp. Mzilikazi, four-time winners of the Copa Coca-Cola, including the inaugural tournament in 1989, were the best performing school from the Southern Region at last year’s national finals held in Harare, while Oriel Boys lost to Chemhanza in the final.
Takunda Jinda, the Coca-Cola Zimbabwe brand manager said he would be leaving with the two boys today via South Africa for what he said would be a life-changing opportunity for the two boys, who were selected from a huge pool of other good players.
“They’ll be in a camp that lets them experience what it means to think, act, play and win like a world champion. The next days will be packed with training, workshops, games, events and tournaments hosted by world class football personalities to ensure they get all the knowledge and expertise they need,” said Jinda.
“Beyond that, they’ll also have the chance to make new friends, experience different cultures and visit Berlin, the capital of the 2014 Fifa World Cup champions, and one of the world’s most exciting sites.”
Jinda said in 2014, two other local boys, Tatenda Tumba and Tatenda Munditi, went to Brazil for six days during the World Cup, courtesy of Copa Coca-Cola. The two watched some World Cup matches before returning home.
Khumalo is the Highlanders Under-16 captain, and a gifted left attacking midfielder.
He expressed excitement at visiting a country rich in football and hoped the trip would make him a better person.
“My family is happy about the achievement of their first-born son. I know that I’ll probably go back after completing my education because I want to play for Bayern Munich in three years’ time,” said Khumalo.
“I’m very confident on that one because I want to emulate Knowledge (Musona), who went to play in South Africa without kicking a ball in the local Premiership,” he said.
He might be playing for Bosso juniors, but he revealed his admiration for former Dynamos captain Murape Murape, whom he described as his best player ever.
“I support Dynamos and in Europe my favourite team is Barcelona of Spain, and my favourite player is Lionel Messi, although I am also a big fan of Wayne Rooney.”
Willie said he also supports Dynamos and admires Ronald Chitiyo.
“It’s a dream come true for a Mabvuku-born player to fly to Germany. I’m hoping to see some of the players, who won the World Cup, and I want to make a lot of friends in Germany,” said Willie.
“My wish is to play for Dynamos in Zimbabwe and later move to Europe to play for Chelsea,” said the young attacking midfielder.
Coca-Cola has been sponsoring grassroots football for 26 years. What started in Zimbabwe in 1989 was formalised under Copa Coca-Cola in 1998, when it was launched in Mexico to create the world’s largest and most inclusive football grassroots programmes.
The global initiative gives millions of young football lovers a chance to come together and celebrate their passion for the game.
Online Reporter