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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
AMERICAN businessman and Zifa Southern Region Division One side Bantu Rovers co-owner Peter Grieve says his club’s dream is to conquer Zimbabwe and Africa.
Grieve is the founder and managing partner of Windy River Group, a private investment company with interests in commercial banking, professional soccer, industrial technology applications and venture capital. He also serves on the board of directors of Grassroots Soccer, a non-profit organisation that teaches African youths how to live an HIV-free life through football-based education.
Rovers presently top the Southern Region Division One league table with 31 points off 13 games, and after watching his side beating fellow title contenders Amagagasi 2-0 at Luveve Stadium on Sunday, Grieve is convinced that his club’s foundation is solid.
Speaking on the sidelines of a stakeholders’ dinner held on Monday night in Bulawayo, Grieve, who is in the country with some of the club’s overseas-based directors, said they will not deviate from talent development in their quest to conquer Africa.
“I said it a few years back that Bantu Rovers’ long-term goal is to conquer Zimbabwe and then Africa, and we still believe in that. The journey hasn’t been smooth, but we remain with that dream. After being relegated for the second time from the Premier Soccer League, we had to re-strategise and said to ourselves, look, our strength is in identifying, nurturing and producing talent, let’s take that path and at the same time try to get back to the top league,” said Grieve.
“The project is coming on well with a mixture of senior and junior players. Once we win promotion, we still have to maintain a First Division franchise where players that are under 20 will be groomed for the senior team,” he said.
Rovers have deliberately composed their squad of two-thirds players under the age of 20 and seem to be on course to reaping rewards for their faith in youngsters.
Some Under-20 players that have been vital in Rovers’ quest include Lucky Ndlela, Gladman Bharibhari, skipper Bukhosi Sibanda, Ishmael Munsaka, Obrey Chirinda, Leslie Lunga and Denzel Khumalo.
Grieve emphasised that Rovers were committed to changing the lives of Zimbabwean footballers by giving them opportunities to work under some of the best coaches, as well as to improve themselves academically.
Rovers have a strong technical team for their juniors to prepare them to grasp the right techniques at an early age.
Ex-national Under-15 coach Dumaza Dube, legendary Zimbabwe striker Agent Sawu and Rovers’ co-owner Methembe Ndlovu, who led Highlanders to the 2006 PSL title, are in charge of the club’s Under-14s, 16s and 18s respectively.
Former Highlanders and national team midfielder Johannes Ngodzo is the first team coach.
“The club is committed to equipping the boys and teaching them soccer through our highly qualified coaches in all the age groups. On the scholastic side, we provide opportunities for the boys so that they study in America with the hope that one day they give the service back to the community,” Grieve said.
The club invited strategic partners Scott Geron from the University of Boston, Jay Jameson, the assistant director of admissions at Berkshire High School, as well as Naoki Tayamura.
Grieve capped his visit with a board meeting held yesterday. The club’s co-chairman Mike Wilson, Tom Fry, Tulio Landin, Ndlovu, Thabisa Sibanda and the club’s general manager Wilbert Sibanda attended the board meeting.
Online Reporter