admin2O11 competition on a winning note when they dispatched Algeria 3-0 at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.
Zimbabwe’s victory was inspired by Lord Malvern’s Nigel Makumbe, who scored a brace, and Musa Phiri of Mpopoma High in Bulawayo who weighed in with the other goal.
All goals came in the first half.
According to reports from England, talented Lord Malvern and Aces Youth Academy product Walter Musona was the outstanding player in the match.
Musona, who is the younger brother to rising Warriors’ star Knowledge, is showing great promise as he carried his form from where he left off at the 2010 edition of the COPA Coca Cola tournament in Masvingo, where he was voted player of the tournament.
But Zimbabwe’s fortunes took a plunge in the second match when they lost 5-1 to the Nigerian team.
The 2011 COPA Coca-Cola top goal scorer, Kelvin Sibanda from Manunure High in Kwekwe was on target.
Zimbabwe found themselves trailing 3-1 at half-time and could not recover after the breather.
“Our boys have done so well so far. We could have done better if we had matched Nigeria’s three weeks in camp before coming to Chelsea.
“We are happy that the experience they are getting will have lasting impressions in their lives” said Rold Baloyi, a Delta representative accompanying the team in London.
Zimbabwe were scheduled to play Malawi and Zambia later yesterday.
The Zimbabwe team was selected from the best performing players at the previous edition of the Copa Coca Cola tournament.
Chelsea captain John Terry and some of the first team players for the London club will present the prizes at the end of the tournament.
Coca Cola are one of the sponsors of Chelsea.
Online Reporter