HOT on the heels of the selection of the National u.17 soccer team, Coca-Cola South Africa is excited to mark the launch of the annual 2015 COPA Coca-Cola football tournament.
Spotlighting some of the best upcoming youth football talent in South Africa, Coca-Cola is going a step further this year and encouraging all South Africans, particularly the youth, to get active and healthy by asking them, ‘What role will you play’.
Former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates, who are based in the South, Benny McCarthy and national u.17 coach Molefi Ntseki will be part and parcel of the programme.
“I didn’t have the chance to play for a Coca-Cola team, but I’m sure that this is the stepping stone for all the young players to use it to be seen and further their careers,” said McCarhy, “I wish them luck.”
Among these global ambassadors is 16-year-old South African-born Siyanda Jezile. Jezile represents The Artist – a character renowned for his hypnotising flair and technique on the field.
Ntseki said: “Structures such as the COPA Coca-Cola tournament are essential to the development of the next generation of stars for our national teams. We have identified the creation of development programmes as a crucial focus for the coming years, and each and every one has an important role to play in helping us unearth those players with national team potential.”
Two footballers who are proof of the programme as a developmental platform are Kulekani Khubeka (16) and Luyanda Mdlalose (16). Kulekani and Luyanda were selected to represent South Africa at the 2015 u.17 CAF African Youth Championship in Mali this year.
The tournament kicked off in March and will finish off the regional rounds on August 1. The national finals take place on September 23 to 26.
