Copa Coca-Cola kicks off

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
DEWURE High School in Gutu district today hosts the launch of the hugely popular annual Copa Coca-Cola National Association of Secondary School Heads (Nash) football tournament.

This marks the second time Dewure is hosting the tournament launch after 2011 when the boys won the 2010 event staged in Masvingo province.

Dewure are also the boys’ defending champions and secured the right to host the official launch of the 27th edition of the Copa Coca-Cola by beating Rujeko 4-3 on penalties at last year’s final held at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo.

Today’s official launch will pave way for the zonal competitions that kick-off next week.

District contests start on June 10, with the provincial finals set for July 8.

Gwanda in Matabeleland South will be home to the 2016 national finals that will run from July 22-24.

Warriors’ coach Callisto Pasuwa and Mighty Warriors’ assistant coach Sithethelelwe Sibanda are among football personalities expected to attend today’s launch.

Coca-Cola officials, their bottling partners from Delta Beverages and Mutare Bottling Company, the Nash leadership and representatives from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education based in Masvingo Province will be at today’s launch.

Objectives of the Copa Coca-Cola include inspiring young footballers to achieve their dreams through the competition by providing a global platform, camaraderie and opportunity for talented individuals to showcase their talent.

Some players that were unearthed at previous Copa Coca-Cola finals and have returned to give motivational speeches to participants include legendary striker Peter Ndlovu, former national team defender Harlington Shereni, Belgium-based Vusa Nyoni, FC Platinum’s Walter Musona, Bulawayo City’s Mkhokheli Dube, Warriors’ goalkeeper Washington Arubi and Johannes Ngodzo.

Vee Chibanda, activation communications manager at Coca-Cola Zimbabwe said: “Copa Coca-Cola is the premier grassroots tournament that unlocks the ambitious dreams and possibilities of Zimbabwe’s and world’s football stars. This year’s event will be held at Dewure in Gutu. There will certainly be big players as you know that Copa Coca-Cola continues to produce stars.”