The Kenya COPA Coca-Cola contingent of 16 players arrived safely in South Africa for the international camp and immediately pledged to bring home the inter-country COPA title.
The team touched down at OR Tambo International airport in Johannesburg on Tuesday noon before they were driven to Pretoria where the 12-day camp will be held.
After being checked in, they were taken through some light training by team coach Arthur Opiyo. “We are grateful that we arrived safely and it’s my hope that this is going to be a successful outing for these young talents,” said Arthur.
The Kenyan team will be joined by other players from Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, Swaziland, Mauritius and Lesotho.
“We have made it here not only to enjoy ourselves but bring the trophy to Kenya because we can,” said Haron Nyakha, the team’s captain. “The team spirit is high and so is the desire to win. I have a feeling we will emerge tops because we are all psyched up for this,” added Nyakha who is the only player in the squad who has been to South Africa before.
The 16 Kenyan players include goalkeeping duo Edwin Mukolwe and Stephen Ogweno, defenders Christopher Oruchum, Sadam Abdulahi, Kevin Otieno, James Mazembe, midfielders Haron Nyakha, Eugene Moses, Ahmed Mahfudh, Geoffrey Alwala, Ramadhan Abdulmalik, Mohammed Said, Castro Mwaura, Alfred Wekesa and strikers, Ibrahim Moge and Omar Mwinyi.
Ahmed Mahfudh who was the COPA Coca-Cola player of the tournament at the national finals has also set his eyes on achieving the same feat during the 12-day long tournament. “I emerged the top COPA player in Kenya in spite of some very stiff competition,’ noted the midfield talisman. “I want to help my team win here again just like we did with Coast Province but am also setting my eyes on the individual award,” he added.
All teams at the camp were furnished with new playing kits which included a pair of white and red jerseys, a pair of polo t-shirts, boots, playing shorts, as well as a tracksuit, gym bag and a scarf among others.
Chelsea Coaches Arrive on Thursday
Chelsea Coaches Arrive on Thursday
A total of five Chelsea coaches will travel to South Africa to provide special training to the over 140 COPA Coca-Cola players at the international camp in Pretoria. Robert Luke Udberg, Russell William Banyard, Oliver Stuart Woodall, Shane Jason Hughes, and Dean Aaron Goodman Steninger of the Chelsea Football Club Foundation will touch down in South Africa on Thursday.
“The Chelsea FC foundation coaches will work in harmony with the local coaches from the different markets and we believe this will help get the best out of these budding talents,” said Christine Maina, Coca-Cola Central, East and West Africa Assets and Experiential Manager.
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