Clubs must take a leaf from Bantu Rovers

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
EVERY year when the Premier Soccer League season is about to end, debate on the future of local soccer based on displays of rookies takes centre stage. What every avid football follower seems to agree on is that a vibrant junior policy is key on the success of any footballing nation.

However, so much promising talent is lost during the transition period, that is from junior competition to the Premiership as most coaches prefer using “tried and tested” players over emerging gems.

The PSL management deserves to be applauded for making it mandatory for every club to register five Under-20 players as a way of encouraging clubs to develop youngsters.

Some of the youngsters registered under that quota have been lucky to get a feel of Premiership action while others have been unlucky as coaches have stuck to old horses or experienced players amid pressure for results.

Relegated Bantu Rovers and top-four finish chasing FC Platinum are the two clubs that have been consistent in using youngsters whom they have fused with seasoned players.

Even though they have been axed from the topflight, Bantu Rovers’ performance against Dynamos at Rufaro Stadium last Sunday will be remembered by many as Tshintsha Guluva had four Under-20 players taking on championship chasing DeMbare.

To field youngsters at that stage was brave of Methembe Ndlovu and his associate coach Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu and the Bantu Rovers’ quartet of Lucky Ndlela (19), Teenage Hadebe (19), Bukhozi Sibanda (17) and 16-year-old Denzil Khumalo will cherish forever.

New gems could be born out of the quartet and they might follow in the footsteps of Mamelodi Sundowns’ Kudakwashe Mahachi and Marvellous Nakamba who is based in the Netherlands, turning out for Vetesse which is in the topflight.

Nakamba was given a Premiership debut when he was 15 years old by Ndlovu in 2009 when Bantu Rovers had bought Eastern Lions’ franchise.

That same season, Mahachi, 17, also made his debut and they became regular features for Tshintsha Guluva and when Bantu Rovers were relegated at the end of 2010, Mahachi remained in the topflight joining Chicken Inn while Nakamba made a break at France’s FC Nancy.

Mahachi, Nakamba, Ndlela and Hadebe all have one thing in common – they once played for Highlanders juniors.

Today, they are testimony that given a chance to flourish, the sky can be the limit for the youngsters and there are good rewards for clubs that are keen on developing and giving upcoming players a platform to shine.

“Obviously some of the boys will fall by the wayside as they develop but others will blossom to become great players. At Bantu Rovers, we believe in giving youngsters a platform to shine and possibly make a living out of their talent. We try to impart knowledge on how to behave in a professional manner while they are still young so that when they make a big break, they know how to behave responsibly,” said Bantu Rovers’ general manager Wilbert Sibanda.

“It’s not true to say that junior development is dead because juniors are there and what is important is integrating them into the senior team where they can get valuable experience.”

Because Bantu Rovers have earned trust from parents for their value of junior players’ welfare which includes paying school fees, buying uniforms and providing groceries, they have become a club of choice for most youngsters.

For these reasons, they were able to draw some of the best talent in the junior ranks.

Moving over to FC Platinum, they started their developmental side a few seasons ago with the coming in of Tennant Chilumba opening doors for younger players such as the Moyo twins Kevin and Elvis as well as Raphael Muduvhiwa.

At the beginning of 2014 season, the platinum miners’ coach Lloyd Mutasa brought on board the national Under-20 duo of Walter Musona and Wisdom Mutasa.

It is these youngsters that are shining under the new coach Norman Mapeza, combining well with veterans in their squad who are providing guidance.

Bulawayo giants Highlanders made use of their five developmental slots which were filled by striker Mgcini Sibanda who after last year’s Cosafa Under-20 tournament was expected to command a regular place at Bosso, Graciano Chakafana, Godfrey Makaruse, Nkosana Maseko and Bothwell Nyathi.

Only Makaruse has made more cameo appearances for the former champions who have a history of churning out great talent.

The challenge that Bosso had over the years is that of their junior players failing to break into the senior team, leaving them frustrated and going on to play for other clubs. Coaches of the first team are to blame for that and if the executive had put pressure on their juniors to be used that would have been considered interference.

Chicken Inn are home to former junior product of Highlanders, Lawrence Mhlanga, a towering defender who has been a vital cog at Gamecocks’ defence. Using his height, Mhlanga has scored three goals for the fast foods outlets-sponsored club.

Utility player Pritchard Mphele of Hwange who was part of Zimbabwe’s Under-15 team that went for the 2010 Youth Olympics in Singapore under the tutelage of Dumaza Dube has been a constant feature for the coal miners.

His performances have seen him getting a national Under-23 call up.

“He is a hard worker and is comfortable playing anywhere in the field besides being the goalkeeper. The future looks good for the young boy and what he just needs to do is keep his head on the ground,” said Hwange coach Nation Dube.