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Allen Khumalo, Sports Reporter
SOBUKHAZI High schoolboy Matripples Muleya is set to join the Copa Coca-Cola soccer dream team for a coaching clinic in South Africa on October 10.

The 15-year-old goalkeeper was spotted while playing for Sobukhazi High in the Copa Coca-Cola Under-16 national tournament held in Gwanda in July.

Muleya is the only player from Bulawayo province and will join other players from the country’s other provinces as they prepare to play against other youngsters from the continent.

Muleya is confident his trip to South Africa will open new doors for him.

“This is a big thing for me. I have worked hard and always prayed for something like this and God has heard me today. I was actually overjoyed when I was selected to be part of the Copa Coca-Cola dream team set to travel to South Africa next month.

“This is the beginning of new things in my career and I think this is an opportunity for me to express myself in the field and hopefully it will open new doors,” Muleya said.

The Form 3 pupil started playing football when he was in Grade 5 at Lotshe Primary in Bulawayo and has also played for Makokoba-based Tigers FC. He is the first choice goalkeeper for Real Stars Sports Academy Under-16 and Under-18 teams.

He believes he was selected because of some saves he made in their match against defending champions Dewure High School, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Sobukhazi were booted out in the quarter-finals after losing 0-1 to Rujeko High School.

Muleya said he is inspired by Dynamos and Warriors keeper Tatenda Mukuruva and wanted to follow in the footsteps of some PSL greats that were unearthed at Copa Coca-Cola tournaments such as Peter Ndlovu, Alois Bunjira, Cephas Chimedza, Simba Nhivi, Ovidy Karuru, Johannes Ngodzo, and Khama Billiat — @khumzallen.