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Ellina Mhlanga and Grace Chingoma, Harare Bureau
AS the latest generation of Young Warriors brace for a heavyweight showdown against Cameroon at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow, the country’s investment in its junior football structures was showcased yesterday with the launch of the 2016 Copa Coca-Cola Under-16 boys and Under-17 girls tournament at Dewure School in Gutu.

The Young Warriors battle the West Africans in a CAF Under-20 Championship qualifier, first leg tie hoping to continue recent success stories for Zimbabwe football against their heavyweight rivals with the Mighty Warriors knocking the West Africans in the race for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero.

The Zimbabwe Under-23 national football team also knocked out their Cameroon counterparts in the battle for a place at the African Games which were held in Congo Brazzaville.

Young Warriors coach Jairos Tapera called for Zimbabweans to come in their thousands and support players who represent the future of the game of this country.

“This is the future of Zimbabwean football, we want everybody to come and rally behind this team, they want support and so let’s come together, win together and celebrate together,” he said.

Yesterday, the focus on the country’s junior football structures was in Gutu where the latest edition of the Copa Coca-Cola tournament, an annual tourney that has been credited with providing a platform to showcase the talents of some of the country’s finest football players, was launched.

Zimbabwe has been hailed as the country with the country with the best Copa Coca-Cola football programme and the event was also graced by Mighty Warriors assistant coach Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda, Mighty Warriors midfielder Greater Bhande, Norman Maroto, Zimbabwe Women Football board member Rosemary Muzvidziwa and Chief Munyaradzi.

It was the first time that the launch of the tournament has been graced by a high-ranking ZIFA official, with the Association sending their vice-president Omega Sibanda – who has just returned from the FIFA Congress in Mexico – to represent them in a show of their support for the tourney.

Sibanda condemned age-cheating which he said was a cancer that had derailed the development of African football and should be outlawed for the game to grow to its full potential.

“Age cheating is a cancer that is impacting badly on our soccer. We all urge all the NASH (National Association of Secondary School Heads) organisers to ensure this is dealt with, especially at this level,” said Sibanda.

“You should not punish the students but the system that encourages age-cheating as you are aware that the Young Warriors are in camp and we have the same challenge of age-cheating.”

Masvingo provincial education director, Zedius Chitiga, urged the young players to take advantage of the opportunities presented to them by the tournament.

“You know what sport can do in your life, you can survive through sport. Sharpen your skills and make the best out of this opportunity,” said Chitiga.

NASH president, Johnson Madhuku, said this year’s edition of the Copa Coca -Cola Under-16 boys and Under -17 girls football tournament will not be tainted by age-cheaters as the organisers have put in place stringent measures to curb the scourge.

“We want to eradicate age-cheating and make sure those with the right age participate. Players should have birth certificates that have been obtained within seven years of birth,” said Madhuku.

“Also schools will use a team photo from the zonal level up to the national. We will not allow any new faces along the way.”

All players are also required to produce their Grade Seven result slips.

Dewure earned the right to host the launch after emerging winners from last year’s competition in Bulawayo when they beat Rujeko 4-3 on penalties.

The launch will be followed by the zonal competition on May 27 in the 10 provinces. The district events are set for June 10 while the provincial finals are slated for July 10.

The provincials will culminate into the finals to be staged in Gwanda from July 22 to 24 at Pelandaba.

Chidyamakono are the title holders for the girls.

The two defending champions will be joined by the hosting schools at the finals, Gwanda High and Colleen Bawn, and the 20 winning schools to make them 24 teams.

Each section – boys and girls – will be made up of 12 schools, which will be grouped into four groups of three teams.

Madhuku said they were grateful to Coca-Cola for their continued support.

“As NASH we continue to applaud, appreciate and express our most profound gratitude to Coca-Cola for their continued relationship, partnership and support of NASH football, this being the 28th year for the boys’ sponsorship and sixth year for the girls.

“We are obviously all cognisant of the hostile and biting economic conditions prevalent in the country at the moment and clearly a time where no one would want to part with even a dollar to donate.

“But Coca-Cola continues to support us, in our view with a huge sponsorship package for both sexes, thereby taking a lead and teaching a lesson to fight gender stereotyping and marginalisation in sports,” said Madhuku.

Coca-Cola market activations manager, Vee Chibanda said they were looking forward to an exciting tournament again this year.

“Today we launch the 28th edition of the boys’ Under-16 and the sixth edition for the girls Under-17 Copa Coca-Cola tournament.

This is a unique opportunity for us to reflect on what we have achieved and more importantly what still needs to be done.

“We do hope and believe this tournament will continue to pay tribute to the junior soccer players who have worked very hard over the many years to attain the standards required to represent their schools, districts, province and even their nation.

“School and grassroots soccer by its nature is fast, exciting and skillful. We do hope that this year, as always, we uncover and nurture a number of a number of truly talented players,” said Chibanda

Draw
Boys
Group A: Dewure, Manicaland, Bulawayo.
Group B: Matabeleland South, Mashonaland West, Matabeleland North.
Group C: Masvingo, Midlands, Mashonaland Central.
Group D: Gwanda High Mashonaland East, Harare.

Girls
Group A: Masvingo, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West.
Group B: Chidyamakono, Bulawayo, Matabeleland North.
Group C: Matabeleland South. Harare, Mashonaland East
Group D: Colleen Bawn, Midlands, Manicaland.