Coca-Cola future stars ready for Brazil

Four soccer players who were selected from the Copa Coca-Cola talent identification will visit Brazil on June 10 to represent SA at the international camp.

The players are Luyanda Mdlalose of Orlando High School, Ndlozi Ndaba from School of Excellence, Carl van Rensburg, Sun Valley High School and Clapham High School’s Khulekani Khubeka. In preparation for this trip, the boys went through a series of training activities under the watchful eye of former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates legend, Helman Mkhalele.

He said the extent of knowledge these boys will acquire in Brazil will not only help them for a short term but rather in their long term goals for as long as they want to play football.

“I am proud to have worked with them; they are individually talented and have rear key attributes and I am confident they will represent us well,” said Mkhelele. Some of the things he assisted with included fitness training sessions, lectures on nutrition and sports science tests. The boys will spend five days in Brazil and will compete against 121 other players coming from different parts of the world.

They will be given an opportunity to experience the 2014 FIFA World Cup the first match between Brazil and Croatia.

Coca-Cola SA marketing assets manager, Fetsi Mbele said their aim is to create the world’s largest and most comprehensive football grassroots programme. He said this global initiative gives millions of young football fans the opportunity to come together and celebrate their passion for football. “With this camp, the purpose is not only to encourage these boys to lead a more active life through sport, but to demonstrate that sport goes beyond games and we are to show them the true meaning of team spirit, respect and friendship,” said Mbele. He said they are expecting more and more talented players to emerge this year in their programme.