Following the launch at Nike Center, Soweto recently this year promises to be the most global and competitive in which 100 players will take part in an intense training and competition scheduled in Barcelona, August.
In South Africa, legendary football coach Johan Neeskens, and professional footballer Benni McCarthy were identified as the official local scouts, while Tebogo Moloi and Shaun Bartlett will play the directing role. Whatever that means!
The nationwide search will commence in early June, and includes five major cities namely Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth. These regional trials seeks to see over 5,000 young, aspiring footballers show off their skills.
McCarthy, who was speaking to us during club’s training before they left for Cape Town for PSL game, says he’s excited in that, it will be the first time he has become involved in this kind of programme.
“I look forward sharing top secrets tactics with these youngsters, and hopefully some of them will be better than me,” he joked.
“They should be proud that, they will be coached and mentored by world’s top sport figures. Such an opportunity comes once and they should you use it to their best ability and benefit the country.”
Players from 55 countries around the world will take part in ‘The Chance’ trials in 2012, and will be assessed through training drills including Nike SPARQ, a training and conditioning system that helps build better athletes.
The best 16 footballers from the global finals will be chosen by Nike to experience the ultimate training tour as their reward; facing some of the most renowned academy teams in world football, including Manchester United, Juventus FC and a U.S. Youth National Team during a once in a lifetime four week tour.
