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Sports Reporter
THE search for a Zimbabwean footballer who will make it into Shield-Chelsea Africa XI squad will be held at Bulawayo’s Gifford High School next Saturday.

The campaign is a result of a partnership between Shield, a Unilever brand and English champions Chelsea.

The search is open to both male and female players between the age of 18 and 25, who are not attached to any professional league.

Former Warriors coach Callisto Pasuwa, veteran gaffer Cosmas “Tsano” Zulu, former national team player Alois Bunjira and ex-Dynamos midfielder Naison Muchekela will be in the city to identify 15 aspiring footballers for the programme.

Players identified from the Bulawayo search will join 15 other footballers from Harare for a week-long boot camp which will be held in Harare in July. The 30 players will then be trained by Chelsea scouts who will then identify the best player for the Africa XI side.

The 30 players will be selected from a pool of applicants who would enter the competition by purchasing any Shield product and send their bar-code.

The final 30 players will go for a boot camp from July 28 to 30 in Harare under the guidance of the local coaches awaiting the arrival of their Chelsea counterparts on July 30 to choose the winning player.

Zulu, who has been coaching for over three decades, challenged aspiring footballers to come and showcase their talent.

“This partnership with Shield will provide an amazing opportunity for aspiring footballers in Zimbabwe. We know the country holds many players with a huge passion for soccer and this competition gives them the chance to demonstrate their passion and ability. Chelsea works hard to improve the lives of young people and we look forward to this partnership,” said Zulu.

Unilever managing director, Hilary Muzondiwa said: “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Chelsea Football Club. Soccer is the most loved sport in Zimbabwe and is a key passion point for our consumers”.

To participate at the trials, aspiring footballers should buy any Shield Deodorant, take a picture of the receipt and send it to a WhatsApp number +263777714200. They should include their names, national identity number, age and gender.

Harare trials will be held on June 2 at Alexandra Sports Club.