COPA Coca-Cola squads in camp

THE under-15 boys COPA Coca-Cola teams have embarked on a two- day camp ahead of the inaugural Africa Cup to be staged in the city of Nakuru in Kenya.

The team, comprising 16 boys who are training at Lusaka’s Kabulonga Girls High School, went into camp on the December 5 as they prepare to meet with other teens from the continent. The tournament will run from December 8 to 16 and boys will be led by Weluzani Zulu from Katete as coach.

Coca-Cola Senior Brand Manager, Vee Chibanda reaffirmed the firm’s commitment to contribute to the growth of soccer in Africa through the COPA Coca Cola Africa Cup.

“We are excited to see a bigger edition of the continental tournament. Last year we had a global camp that featured five-aside teams, but this year we are having full aside teams. What is more exciting is that we are taking the girl-child on board. The girls are making their second appearance after their inaugural appearance last year at the global camp held in Durban South Africa. COPA Coca-Cola has changed the lives of many teenagers and we hope this tournament too will be a life changing opportunity for the participants.” Chibanda said. Zambia Schools Sport Association (ZASSA) president, Chipangano Tembo who is also head of delegation, expressed gratefulness to Coca-Cola for affording the youngsters life changing opportunities. “As ZASSA we applaud, appreciate and express our most profound gratitude to Coca-Cola for their continued support and partnership with schools to improve sporting activities in line with the new curriculum.

“We are aware of the economic conditions prevalent in the country at the moment and clearly for a corporate to come up with such a sponsorship is commendable,” Chipangano said. Twelve countries which include Zimbabwe, Angola, Malawi, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Zambia, Botswana, South Africa and hosts Kenya will take part in the inaugural COPA Coca-Cola Africa Cup.