Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
JADEL Football Academy will, for the fourth year running, look to hoist the country’s flag when they participate in the annual 100 Team Cup in Beijing, China this month.
The globally-acclaimed football nursery has taken part in this jamboree that draws more than 100 teams from across the globe for the past four years, bringing medals of different colours in each of those editions.
Jadel FA players are expected to jet out tonight via the United Arab Emirates, having a three-hour lay-off in Dubai and scheduled to arrive in the Chinese capital 24 hours later.
They will have a day to rest before the fiesta bursts into life, running until August 28 at different venues dotted across Beijing.
Academy founder and director Walter “Ringers” Musanhu said the U-11, U-12, and U-13 players are geared to do well in the 100 Team Cup.
Musanhu, a former professional footballer with Motor Action and the Young Warriors, founded the club in China, where he is based, and subsequently established an arm back home in 2019.
The Zimbabwean youngsters will team up with those based at Jadel FA China in what will be a mix and fusion of not only football but of different cultural backgrounds.
That’s what often makes Jadel FA the most-watched team during the 100 Teams Cup over the years.
“I am happy to announce that we will be taking off to China for the 100 Teams Cup this Monday (today) in the evening,” said Musanhu.
“Jadel Football Academy, Zimbabwean side, will be participating at the annual global showcase for the fourth time on the bounce.
“I derive a lot of pleasure seeing these kids doing what they love the most that is playing football and getting international exposure at a young age.
“These youngsters have also been exceptional when it comes to the competition proper.
“In three years, they have managed to bring home gold, silver and bronze.
“That’s the hallmark of their competitiveness. We are trying to nurture them, moving in line with our vision of seeing Zimbabwe qualify for the World Cup in 2034.”
Jadel FA shelved their Send-Off and Fundraising Dinner that was pencilled for Harare last Friday, and Musanhu said the academy still needs partners to make the journey memorable.
“We are grateful to all those who have come through, and we are still open to partnerships so that we can help out our kids during this trip,” added Musanhu.
“We had to postpone our scheduled Fundraiser last week due to circumstances beyond our control.
“But we have confidence in individuals and the corporate world that they will come on board to help us out as we take the kids to represent the badge in China.”
For Malcom Dinyero, who is returning to the 100 Teams Cup for the third time inside four years, the competition offers him some leverage in his development.
The 13-year-old Harare High School learner is already an established star, representing Harare Province in the ZIFA BancABC Roots Impact Cup.
“I am utterly thankful to Jadel FA and its director, Walter Musanhu, for providing all these opportunities to the other players and me,” said Dinyero.
“The amount of exposure we are getting from the 100 Teams Cup is incredible. That’s why we always do well during schools tournaments.”
