Biya tips Warriors

Raymond Jaravaza
HIGHLANDERS legend and academy coach in the United States of America Thulani a�?Biyaa�� Ncube believes that Warriors have the right calibre of players to carry the hopes of the nation at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Gabon.

The African football showpiece starts in January and Zimbabwe is in Group B with Tunisia, Senegal and Algeria.

a�?We have so many talented players in the Warriors squad such as Billiat (Khama) and Musona (Knowledge), these players are doing very well at their respective clubs so I do not see a reason why the Warriors would fail to impress in Gabon.

a�?We have a good team and all that is needed is to support the coaches, Callisto Pasuwa and his assistants,a�? Ncube told B-Metro Sport before flying out to his base in the USA.

The former Highlanders defender is a juniors coach at the South Central Soccer Academy in Indiana, United States and works with players ranging from Under-8 to Under-18.

a�?The gap between Zimbabwe and USA in terms of soccer development is obviously due to the huge difference in the economies of the two countries because that side we have junior coaches who are permanently employed to work with young kids. In Zimbabwe junior coaching is seen as a part time job and that obviously has a bearing on the quality of players that come through the ranks,a�? he said.

The former Zimbabwe national team skipper established a football academy based in Bulawayo called the Biya and Friends Academy that caters for Under-12, Under-14 and Under-16 boys and runs under the administration of coaches Stanley Mpofu, Maxwell Mbambo and manager George Sibanda.

The other co-founders are Tawanda Chitapa and Zi Gumbo also based in America and who grew up together with Ncube in Luveve suburb.

Ncube said the two-pronged approach of the academy would also see them empower the youngsters academically.

a�?Our main goal is to give these young players a chance in life, be it in professional football or scholarships, where they can also improve themselves academically. I value education a lot and will do everything to be an ambassador to motivate young people to take their studies seriously for a better tomorrow,a�? he added.