Coca-Cola underline commitment to junior football

wings to sponsor the girls’ football tournament.
Gifford Boys High hosted the inaugural COPA Coca-Cola Under-20 girls’ soccer tournament and Harare representative Vainona High lifted the trophy.
Speaking on the sidelines of the tournament in Bulawayo, Atkins Chimhandamba, Coca-Cola Operations Marketing Manager, said the girls’ event would be an annual tournament.
Chimhandamba hinted that it was a special year for Coca-Cola to sponsor the girls’ tournament as it coincided with their 125 years of operation.
“The success of the Mighty Warriors tells a story of how women’s soccer in the country is developing” Chimhandamba said.
Chimhandamba was impressed by what he saw at the two-day tournament, saying talent was abundant and needed to be groomed at an early age.
The marketing manager felt the inaugural girls’ tournament was a perfect platform for national teams and club coaches to identify talent.
“As per tradition we are going to convene a meeting as sponsors to determine the destination for the selected 20 players,” added Chimhandamba.
The inaugural girls’ soccer tournament saw Bulawayo representatives Montrose Girls High and Sikhulile bowing out in the group stage.
It was a refreshing sight to witness strikers who were sharp in front of goal, as 24 goals were scored in 12 matches in the group stage.
Vainona had to negotiate their way into the final after winning in the penalty shoot-out 4-3 against Rufaro Secondary. The other semi-final saw Matabeleland South representative Selonga dismissing Rukweza 3-0.
Former Mighty Warriors captain, Nomsa “Boyz” Moyo, saluted Coca-Cola for supporting women soccer at grassroots level.
“My current club, New Orleans, identified six players from Selonga Secondary and would soon engage their guardians,” Moyo said.
The midfielder said there was need for a two-week training camp during the school holidays for the selected 20 players.
Women Under-20 national team midfielder Charity Karuru of Rufaro Secondary was voted player of the tournament and won US$150.
Karuru climbed onto the podium twice, as her goal in the group stage tie against Chidembo Secondary was voted goal of the tournament.
Sibonisiwe Sibanda of Vainona High was named goalkeeper of the tournament and took home US$100 with the Fair Play award going to Montrose Girls who collected US$300.
Selonga Secondary coach Mguni Mqondisi was voted coach of the tournament and won US$150.
Judith Maphosa of Selonga won the top goal scorer award with five goals and got US$100.
Squad:
Sibonisiwe Sibanda (Vainona), Petronella Mareba (Ngomeni), Monica Manangire (Rutanhira), Sanelisiwe Hobane (Selonga), Charity Karuru (Rufaro), Fadzai Mavhiko (Rufaro), Grater Bande (Vainona), Silibaziso Nkomo (Sikhulile), Judith Maphosa (Selonga), Fildah Chimene (Rukweza), Ethel Dangira (Rukweza), Florence Kandarira (Vainona), Mavis Chirandu (Herman Gmeiner), Mercy Saire (Herman Gmeiner), Barbara Dzova (Rufaro), Muchaneta Gwisanai (Ngomeni), Olivia Zombe (Inkomo), Sithawenkosi Khumalo (Hwange), Gugulethu Dube (Montrose), Vellah Nohlahla (Selonga).