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Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Copa Coca-Cola Under-15 boys and girls Dream Teams leave the country on Wednesday for a one week global camp in Durban, South Africa.
For the local girls, they will be making their maiden appearance at the competition where some of the participating countries include South Africa, Russia, Nigeria, Tunisia and Kenya.
The Zimbabwean girls are coached by five times in a row Copa Coca-Cola winning mentor, Yeukai Chiruvu of Chidyamakono while Eremu Madzinga from Rusununguko, the 2017 boys champions will take care of the local lads.
National Association of Secondary Heads, acting head in charge of football, Ropafadzo Matemavi and Coca-Cola Zimbabwe market activations manager Vee Chibanda are leading the delegation.
In South Africa, the Zimbabwean youngsters will have the opportunity to be imparted with mentorship and football skills from professional coaches who will be availed to them. They will also tour a number of places including Moses Mabhida Stadium and Durban City.
Chibanda said the world’s leading beverage company was committed to using football to absolutely impact the youngsters in communities through grassroots football.
“Coca- Cola is committed to leveraging football to positively impact youth in communities through its grassroots soccer. Copa Coca-Cola gives teens and budding footballers a platform to nurture and develop their talent into professional footballers. We are excited to announce that starting this year we are taking girls to the camp.
As the platform where football dreams are made into reality, Copa Coca-Cola once again is offering aspiring Zimbabweans football stars a once in a life time opportunity to receive world class exposure and training from world class coaches. We hope this camp will take the boys and girls a step further in their football careers,” said Chibanda.
In South Africa, teams are going to compete in five-a-side matches. The draw will be conducted on Wednesday evening when all teams arrive. Teams will play in group stage games on Friday, followed by quarter and semi-finals on Saturday. Finals are scheduled for Saturday. Zimbabwe are former holders of the African Copa Coca-Cola Trophy after they won the gong in South Africa in 2013.
Zimbabwean teams for Copa Coca-Cola global camp in South Africa
Girls: Fambainashe Mvere(Mpopoma), Praynence Zwawanda(Vainona), Erita Zvenyika, Nokuzola Ncube, Beverly Nyandoro(Tongwe), Letwin Hlongwane(Mwenenzi), Atida Nyagudza, Rutendo Matemera (all Chidyamakono)
Coach: Yeukai Chiruvu (Chidyamakono)
Chaperone: Vee Chibanda (Coca-Cola)
Boys: Adrian Svidzi, Abel Mawunga, Oscar Magejo, Denzel Marufu (all Rusununguko), Clayton Muchemwa, Takudzwa Kawodza (both Oriel), Shungu Gato, Takudzwa Dube (both Chipindura)
Coach: Eremu Madzinga (Rusununguko)
Chaperone: Ropafadzo Matemavi (Nash)
Chaperone: Ntandoyakhe Sibanda (Delta Beverages)
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