St Marks to represent Mpumalanga
The tournament has already seen multiple top local stars such as Andile Jali, Happy Jele, Mandla Masango
St Marks High School are looking ahead to compete in the Copa Coca-Cola National Finals against other eight provincial school champions.
The final’s will take place at Tempe Stadium, in Bloemfontein, Free State, from September 23 to 25.
The 2016 tournament Ambassador Simba Marumo, along with his team of scouts, were tasked with putting together a COPA Coca-Cola all-star side dubbed the ‘Which Part Will You Play’ team.
Simba set out to identify talented players embodying the unique roles needed to form a successful team and to represent the values Copa Coca-Cola aims to instil in its young participants.
Players were selected at each of the nine provincial finals and will come together in Bloemfontein, where Simba will take on the role as their coach, and challenge a Bloemfontein Celtic academy side in what is sure to be a match of epic proportions.
From Mpumalanga is Freedom Malamule from Dumphries High School.
Fetsi Mbele, Coca-Cola South Africa Senior Communications Manager, Brand experience, says that the tournament has the power to do even more than just developing young footballers.
“Coca-Cola has been involved in grassroots football development in our country for more than 18 years. Copa Coca-Cola not only aims to assist the development of football in our country but it also has the power to instil the values of teamwork, sportsmanship and persistence in its young participants,” he says.
Mbele added: “It’s not just your ball skills and fancy footwork that count; it’s the hard work, dedication and commitment that will lead you to victory, both on and off the field.”
Copa Coca-Cola is first and foremost about the development of young footballers and has a rich history of developing footballing heroes in South Africa.
The tournament has already seen multiple top local stars such as Andile Jali, Happy Jele, Mandla Masango and Excellent Walaza come through its ranks in the past.
Marumo believes that Copa Coca-Cola is a shining light in the youth football development landscape.
“I truly wish all the schools well on their quest to be named Copa Coca-Cola national champions. I have seen first-hand how gifted all the participating teams are. It also gives me great joy to take charge of the Which Part Will You Play all-stars. I believe the team is solid and will not only play with flair but also sportsmanship,” said Marumo.
