Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo in BEIJING, China
JADEL Football Academy will only travel back home from China at the end of the month after several teams proposed for matches against them following their triumph in the 100 Cup last week.
The nursery’s Under-13 team, fusing Zimbabwean and Chinese youngsters, emerged victorious in the annual festival in the Chinese capital.
Jadel FA were participating in this 43rd edition of the global fiesta for the fourth time since their first entrance in 2023.
They won the tournament in 2024 before staggering out in the quarter-finals last year.
But they were swaggering this time around, clearing everything before them in a perfect run that culminated into a podium last Thursday.
The Zimbabwe-based players were supposed to immediately return home but, after receiving overwhelming proposals from several teams to play, the academy principal decided to give the youngsters more time for exposure.
Academy founder and head coach Walter “Ringers” Musanhu said Jadel FA will stay on in the Chinese capital to play more games.
“Several teams and scouts are still interested in playing and assessing us after we won the 100 Cup last week,” said Musanhu.
“The 100 Cup tournament is the ultimate competition in youth football and it attracts thousands of spectators every match day.
“Our boys drew a lot of eyeballs whenever they were playing.
“They were well drilled and loads of scouts milled around.
“The brand of football they played was very attractive and I am happy that helped hoist our Zimbabwe flag.
“I was surprised that so many teams then came to me to propose games. At first, I thought no, we have to immediately go back home.”
He added:
“But the inquiries were too many to sweep out. Scouts endorsed the matches as they still want to examine some of our players.
“I saw that as an opportunity to give the boys more exposure against teams especially those we didn’t meet in the road during the 100 Cup.
“That will help the boys improve in so many aspects.”
Jadel FA have since played two games with about four more lined up before they travel back home.
Besides playing these games, the youngsters are also visiting tourist attractions across China to enhance their experience.
The Government, through the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training said the youngsters deserve to be celebrated.
“Look, what Jadel FA have done in putting the country on the map is remarkable. Winning the 100 Cup isn’t a mean feat,” said Minister Tino Machakaire.
“They deserve to be celebrated in a big way. Fans should welcome them when they return. They are a good example of a development project.”
