Zimpapers Logo

Ellina Mhlanga Harare Bureau
COPA Coca-Cola tournament players to represent the country at the international camp in Paris, France, left the country yesterday with 15-year-old Tafadzwa Dhliwayo saying he is looking forward to the event. The camp starts tomorrow and ends on July 4 with young footballers from around the world taking part. Besides Zimbabwe, other countries from the Southern Africa Region taking part are Botswana, Malawi, South Africa and Zambia.

Dhliwayo, a Form Three pupil at Gifford High School in Bulawayo, could not hide his joy. “I used to hear about Copa Coca-Cola and my wish was to get the opportunity to play and last year was my first time to fly.

“I had troubles as my passport was a bit delayed when I applied but I kept on praying,” said Dhliwayo. The teenage footballers are going to attend one of the UEFA Euro 2016 quarter-final matches during their trip in France.

Dhliwayo, who won the Team Player of the Tournament Award during last year’s regional camp in South Africa, said he is looking forward to meeting some of the world’s top players.

“I’m happy, it will be my first time to meet some of the players I always see on television. “My favourite player is Cristiano Ronaldo. And my dream is to play football in countries like Spain, England, France and Germany.

“I want to be the best player at the camp. I’ll do my best and maybe I can be scouted and stay in France. “My parents and friends are very supportive. They encourage me to work hard on my football and my education as well because it’s important for my future,” said Dhliwayo.

The players were expected to make a stop-over in Johannesburg, South Africa, yesterday where they were expected to go through some orientation together with players from the other countries from the region that are also participating in the camp before proceeding to France last night.

The Copa Coca-Cola tournament, which was introduced in Zimbabwe 28 years ago focusing mainly on boys, has continued to grow over the years as one of the country’s biggest schools football events. And it now involves the girls’ tournament which has been running since 2011.