Mighty Warriors coach Rosemary Mugadza said she was impressed by the just-ended Girls’ Under-20 Copa Coca- Cola Cup at Gifford High School adding the tournament was a platform for selecting players for the national team.
Mugadza was guest at the tournament hosted by the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province. Harare’s Vainona High School won the competition when they edged Selonga from Matabeleland South Province 1-0 in the final.
“We tend to consider clubs when we select players for the national team, but our selection will be wider if we watch such tournaments,” she said. She hailed Coca-Cola for sponsoring the competition.
“The tournament is important because it gives the girls from the rural areas a chance to play football despite the cultural stigma associated with the girl child playing football.
“I was very impressed with Selonga from Gwanda. They are a good team,” she said. Zimbabwe Women’s Football secretary-general Samukeliso Silengane thanked the sponsors for coming on board to fund the tournament.
“We woud like to thank Coca-Cola for recognising the girl child. The girls proved that what boys can do they can even do better. Coca-Cola has started this initiative to sponsor the tournament because they have seen that there is abundant talent,” she said.
Silengane urged coaches from Zimbabwe Soccer Coaches’ Association to get involved in such tournaments so they can identify talented players.
