The winner of the Unilever sponsored Shield-Chelsea football talent search, Joseph Mandevani, flew to London yesterday for a five day football camp where he will brush shoulders with Chelsea legends.
The 19-year-old footballer joined youths from other African countries who will combine to form an Africa XI team that will have the privilege to play a match against Chelsea legends in London,
Mandevani could not hide his excitement about the lifetime opportunity to mix and mingle with Chelsea legends saying he hopes to maximize from the trip and make connections that will transform his football career.
“I am extremely excited about this trip. I worked very hard to be here, now it’s a dream come true. I want to thank God, my family and my friends for their support during this whole project, from the time I entered the trials, until now, they have been very supportive
“This is a moment that I have been waiting for. I thank Unilever for giving me this rare opportunity through their shield brand. I will maximize this trip to make friends, connections and linkages that I hope will transform my football career.I will do my best to raise the Zimbabwean flag high.” said Mandevani
Mandevani shrugged of stiff competition from hundreds of other youths who attended the initial trials, held in Bulawayo and Harare under the supervision of three local football coaches; former Warriors coach, Kalisto Pasuwa, former Highlanders Coach, Cosmas ‘Tsano’ Zulu, former Dynamos midfielder, Naison Michaela and former Caps United Utility, Alois Bunjira.
The trials saw 30 amateur footballers being shortlisted for a week football camp where they got a rare chance to be trained by the trio of Chelsea Coaches namely; Laurence Griffin, Steve O’ Reilly and Freddie Myers in July.
Mandevani emerged as the best talent to represent Zimbabwe in the Africa select team of raw talent footballers following an assessment by the three visiting Chelsea coaches.
