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Ellina Mhlanga, Harare Bureau
AS the Copa Coca-Cola tournament continues with efforts to create equal opportunities for both boys and girls, this year will see the sponsors taking a team from each section for the inaugural Five-A-Side World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa.

Previously there have been regional camps attended by the boys dream team.

Then there were international camps attended by just a few while the girls would represent the country in the Confederation of Schools Sport Associations of Southern Africa championships.

The boys had the opportunity to train under the guidance of international football experts and meet some of the world’s top footballers.

The inclusion of the girls at the international tournament means they will get the same exposure as boys.

Coca-Cola activations manager, Vee Chibanda, announced the development at the end of the national finals in Bindura over the weekend.

“We have now launched what is called Five-A-Side, so at the global level Copa is played as Five-A-Side. So we will take a team for Five-A-Side and three substitutes and then a coach.

“So it will be a team that constitutes the Five-A-Side as per the global tournament.

“I think this is a step forward because they (girls) get to also play with professional footballers who will train them.

“They will also get to meet other children from other countries, we now live in a global village which is quite an experience for them.

“I am happy that we can also give girls this kind of exposure. The World Cup, we are expecting it to run in September,” said Chibanda.

The sponsors indicated early this year that at global level it had been agreed to have Five-A-Side since it’s easy to manage and allows more countries to participate.

However, locally it remains 11-A-Side competition.

The national finals in Bindura saw Under-15 boys and girls competing.

“I would like to say that I am very happy that such young boys and girls could entertain us and play good football. It was amazing, I would like to say congratulations to all the coaches who are working with the children.

“And I would like to encourage them to continue working hard with the children and us as Coca-Cola we are here to continue to support them and ensure that at least the children have an experience of a lifetime,” Chibanda said.

The tournament that kicked-off on Friday ended on Saturday with Chidyamakono from Masvingo underlining their status as the best team in the schools football for girls when they retained the title for the fifth consecutive year.

They beat Mamunyadza of Manicaland 1-0.

For boys, new champions were crowned after Rujeko from Mashonaland Central were eliminated in the quarter-finals by eventual winners Rusununguko from Mashonaland East.

Rusununguko fought their way to become the champions with 10 players. They beat Pfupajena of Mashonaland West on penalties in the finals after the match ended 1-1 in regulation time.

Dream Teams

Boys: Ralph Nyamupfurika, Dancel Simendi, Christopher Mapolisa (all Pfupajena), Clayton Muchemwa, Takudzwa Maodza (Oriel), Michael Saharo, Abel Mawunga, Oscar Magejo, Denzel Marufu (goalkeeper), Adrian Svidzi (all Rusununguko), Clayton Masina (Lobengula), Plan Dube (Somvubu), Takudzwa Dube Sato Shungu, Lincoln Chikotho (goalkeeper) (all Chipindura), Siphosenkosi Moyo (Mzingwane), Tanyaradzwa Mafukidze (Guinea Fowl), Albin Mubaira (Rujeko), Innocent Nyamanjiva, Benevolence Mangava (all Gutu).

Girls: Letwin Hlongwane, Realise Gumbo, Trisha Ndlovu (all Mwenezi), Praynance Zvawanda (Vainona), Fambainashe Mvere (goalkeeper) (Mpopoma), Spiwe Mugara, Juliana Hwengere, Solve Muchawu Tadiwa Chatora (Mamunyadza), Atida Nyagudza, Beatrice Machona, Daphine Mapfanyangira, Rutendo Matemera (all Chidyamakono), Isabel Dube (George Chipadza), Erita Zvenyika, Nokuzola Ncube, (all Tongwe), Ashley Mukupe (Parirewa), Tanatswaishe Choreka (Rushinga), Emmaculate Zulu, Beverly Nyandoro, (Sodbury).