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Fungai Muderere . .
Winner of the Unilever sponsored Shield-Chelsea football talent search Joseph Mandevani flew out to London on Tuesday for a five-day football camp where he will rub shoulders with Chelsea legends.
The 19-year-old footballer joined youths from other African countries who combined to form an Africa XI team that will have the privilege to play a match against Chelsea legends.
To be chosen, Mandevani shrugged off stiff competition from hundreds of other youths who attended the initial trials that were held in Bulawayo and Harare under the supervision of three local football coaches; former Warriors coach Kalisto Pasuwa, ex-Highlanders coach Cosmas “Tsano” Zulu, former Dynamos midfielder Naison Muchekela and Alois Bunjira who turned out for CAPS United.
The trials saw 30 amateur footballers being shortlisted for a week-long football camp where they got a rare chance to be trained by the trio of Chelsea coaches Laurence Griffin, Steve O’ Reilly and Freddie Myers in July.
Mandevani emerged as the best talent to represent Zimbabwe in the Africa select team of raw talent footballers following an assessment by the three visiting Chelsea coaches.
Mandevani and others are set to experience modern-day football training at Cobham centre, the home of Chelsea.
As if that will not be enough, the teenager is expected to get an opportunity to watch the Chelsea Football Club live in action against Cardiff FC at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Mandevani, who had his debut flight of his life on Tuesday, is feeling on top of the world.
“I am extremely excited about this trip. I worked very hard to be here, now it’s a dream come true. I want to thank God, my family and my friends for their support during this whole project, from the time I entered the trials, until now, they have been very supportive,” said Mandevani.
The young Zimbabwean footballer who is not attached to any local club added: “This is a moment that I have been waiting for. I thank Unilever for giving me this rare opportunity through their shield brand. I will maximise this trip to make friends, connections and linkages that I hope will transform my football career. I will do my best to raise the Zimbabwean flag high.”
The opportunity to fly to London and meet Chelsea legends came from the Shield partnership with Chelsea Football Club.
Under the partnership, Zimbabwean youths and other African amateur football players are presented with the opportunity to feel and see how it takes to train like champions among other opportunities that are expected to open doors for the youths.
Shield brand manager Susan Luneta reckoned that history had been made.
“This is a historic moment for us. We are glad we have successfully managed to send the lucky Zimbabwean youngster to London and present him with this once in a lifetime opportunity. It’s been a long journey since this Shield talent search was launched in April. This campaign has demonstrated to us that Zimbabwe has massive untapped football talent. We hope we can make it bigger and better next year.
“As Unilever, we want him (Mandevani) to leave London with the memorable experience of having gained valuable football skills that will transform his football career and take him a step further towards his dreams,” said Luneta.
Online Reporter