Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
JUNIOR football is thriving in Manicaland and Mutare in particular, and a new academy – 12 Academy Football Club – has announced its arrival with a partnership with Mountview School Academy to develop young talent from an early age.
The project is co-owned by Douglas Mutsotso and former Tenax CS FC and Highlanders player, Takunda ‘Sebo’ Mapara, who are both based in the United Kingdom.
The academy’s name is inspired by legendary Zimbabwean striker, Peter Ndlovu and the Jersey Number 12 that he wore for the Warriors.
Mutsotso said Ndlovu remains one of the most talented strikers Zimbabwe has ever produced, and the vision is to develop a new generation of players who can emulate his quality.
“To date, I believe we have not produced a player like Peter Ndlovu. As 12 Academy, we want to produce players like the legend Peter,” said Mutsotso.
The Academy said Zimbabwe has increasingly relied on foreign players, including talent from countries such as Ghana, Namibia and Eswatini, instead of developing its own players from a young age. Mutsotso said the country has struggled to produce players of the calibre of stars such as Khama Billiat and Knowledge Musona, and it stems from poor grassroots systems.
“Nowadays, even some PSL players are struggling to control the ball. At 12 Academy, we want to start teaching football from a tender age, even from ECD level,” he said.
