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Online Reporter
Former Zimbabwean international footballer Benjani Mwaruwari has called for increased efforts in football development across the nation.
Speaking from his base in the United Kingdom, Mwaruwari emphasised the importance of nurturing young talent and highlighted the significant contributions of individuals such as former Dynamos vice chairman and secretary-general for development, Vincent Chawonza, for his unwavering support for youth development at the club.
Mwaruwari, who enjoyed a successful career in Europe with clubs such as Portsmouth and Manchester City and captained the Zimbabwe national team, stressed that the future of Zimbabwean football hinges on robust junior development programs.
“We need to invest more in our youth. The talent is there, but without proper development structures, we are failing our future stars,” he said.
He praised Chawonza for his unwavering dedication to football development. Chawonza, who has been a pivotal figure in the sport, has a long history with Dynamos and has been instrumental in securing sponsorships and implementing innovative strategies to support the club’s growth.
“Vincent’s passion for development is unmatched. His work at Dynamos and beyond has set a benchmark for what can be achieved with the right commitment from club administrators. More football administrators should emulate him and only then will our game produce more young players like Bill Antonio and Vusa Ngwenya who both came through the ranks at Dynamos.
“What Dynamos is doing today reminds me of the days when Highlanders and Zimbabwe Saints were the mainstay of the national team primarily because of the investment the two clubs put into youth development with players as young as 10 or 12 being introduced and nurtured to top flight prominence,” Mwaruwari noted.
Mwaruwari also urged football clubs to go beyond mere lip service when it comes to junior development.
“It’s not enough to just talk about it. Club administrators need to take concrete actions to support and develop young players. This means investing in training facilities, hiring qualified coaches, and creating opportunities for young talent to shine,” he added.
The former striker’s call to action comes at a crucial time for Zimbabwean football, as the nation seeks to rebuild and strengthen its footballing infrastructure. Mwaruwari’s advocacy for development is seen as a positive step towards ensuring a brighter future for the sport in Zimbabwe.
derick.khumalo