The ManicaPost
Ray Bande Senior Reporter
REIGNING Copa Coca Cola girls’ national champions Nyamauru High School of Mutare are under investigation for age cheating after they failed to provide seven of their players that were selected into the tournament’s national dream team.
The organizers of the tournament have since moved the launch of the 2019 edition of the event to last year’s boys’ winners to Pamushana High, a shift from the norm of hosting the launch at the girls’ tournament winners.
National Association of Secondary Heads (NASH) head in charge of football in Manicaland Charles Muyocha confirmed that investigations were in progress.
“Yes, it is true. We as NASH are carrying out our own investigations while the sponsors and the organizers are also carrying out investigations into the matter. The school failed to provide seven players that were selected into the Coca Coca Cola national dream team. The seven were selected after their outstanding performance during the finals of the tournament last year. Schools normally fail to provide selected athletes when they know that they are above the stipulated age and that would be discovered during national dream team camp.
“As we speak, the launch of the Copa Coca Cola 2019 edition has since been moved to Pamushana High in Masvingo. Pamushana were the boys’ champions. The launch was supposed to have been held at Nyamauru High in Dangamvura, Mutare,” said Muyocha.
Age cheating has been a problematic issue for not only Copa Coca Cola tournament but many junior football tournaments in Zimbabwe and Africa at large.
Ironically, the use of physical age vetting system has been heavily criticized as it denied deserving youngsters a chance to showcase their talents.
Muyocha also confirmed that there are plans to have Copa Coca Cola defending champions fighting for a place in the national finals unlike in the past when defending champions would have automatic entry.
“We also received communication to the effect that 2019 is the last year we are having defending champions coming to national finals to defend their championship. 2020 onwards they will have to fight for the ticket. Only host team will have automatic qualification.
Launch will take place at a girls’ team school this yrs. It was supposed to be Nyamauru but then they may lose it to the losing finalists following their failure to send players for the Africa Cup in Kenya.
“Mutare Bottling Company went to the school in order to assist players to secure passports but the school failed to produce the players who had been chosen to be part of the team. This disappointed the sponsors and embarrassed NASH.
“Copa coca cola, our under 15 boys and girls sponsors, have had a change of heart and decided to have the 2019 Copa coca cola launch at the 2018 boys winners.
“The launch on the agreed date of 15 May 2019 is therefore, going to be held at Pamushana high school. The feeling is that while Nash is investigating the girls side, it is only prudent and fair to go to the boys section where there are no investigations taking place,” said Muyocha.
