Four talented teenage soccer players from Zimbabwe have been selected for a two-week training camp at the prestigious Nastic Sports Academy in Spain. The young players earned this opportunity after impressing Spanish talent scouts during a recent under-13 inter-provincial soccer tournament held at Midlands Christian College in Gweru.
Speaking after the ATS 2024 tournament, Javier Ornia, the General Manager of Nastic Sports Academy, praised the raw talent on display. He believes that with the right nurturing, these players have the potential to become world-class footballers.
The four standout players chosen for the fully-funded training and exposure program are Mufudzi Mandiwanzira (St John’s Prep), Shamakh Zhuwakini (Hellenic), Ndadiwa Pepukai (St John’s Prep) and,Timothy Ndebele (Petra College)
At the Spanish academy, the Zimbabwean youngsters will train alongside talented youth from Europe and South America. They will have access to top-class facilities and receive coaching from the academy’s high-level tutors, training for four hours per day over one full week.
Ornia expressed his delight at the level of talent on display, stating that the initial plan was to select just two players, but the choice was so difficult that they expanded it to four. He was particularly impressed by the players’ ball control, which he sees as the hallmark of international football.
“I think they have talent and if they come to Spain, they will learn some new ways and play more differently and better,” Ornia commented.
The Nastic Sports Academy aims to provide student-athletes with a combination of innovative educational and sports programs, offering access and opportunities to develop their talents.
The ATS 2024 under-13 tournament in Gweru was a well-attended football event, with the presence of Farai Jere, the Premier Soccer League boss, among the spectators.
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