Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, [email protected]
LOCAL coaches who were involved in the selection process for the 10 players who will represent Zimbabwe at the FC Bayern Youth Cup in Munich have hailed the tournament as a major step forward for the country’s young footballers.
The FC Bayern Youth Cup will be hosted at the headquarters of German giants FC Bayern Munich from October 15 to 17.
The Bulawayo audition brought together some of the country’s most promising young players, with the standout performers earning the opportunity to travel to Germany for the international finals in Munich.
Coaches Johannes Ngodzo, Chipo Tsodzo and Mkhokheli Dube, who were part of the process of identifying the best talent, were impressed by the quality of football on display.
Dube described the opportunity provided by German giants Bayern Munich as a significant milestone for Zimbabwean youth football.
“Having Bayern Munich giving us such an opportunity is a really huge milestone and opportunity for our young players,” said Dube.
The coaches believe the tryouts went beyond simply selecting a group of players for the trip to Germany, providing a platform for youngsters from different parts of the country to showcase their abilities.
Ngodzo was particularly impressed by the diversity of talent on show, with players from across Zimbabwe converging for the final selection.
“It is great to see talent from all over the country converging here and the talent is really good,” said Ngodzo.
His sentiments underline one of the major benefits of the tournament creating an avenue for talented youngsters to be identified and given an opportunity to compete at a national level.
For Tsodzo, the opportunity presented to the youngsters is a welcome development that could play an important role in their football journeys.
“This is a great opportunity for the youngsters and a welcome development. It’s a great opportunity for these youngsters,” he said.
The 10 players selected for the trip to Munich are Nkosiphile Moyo of Flame Stars, Sibusiso Nyoni and Thabiso Dube of Zebra Revolution, Muvumbi Nenyasha and Mzingaye Sibanda of Bulawayo City, Era Mangore of Young Flying Stars, Tafara Marara of Elite, Blessed Sibanda of Bulawayo Chiefs, Brendon Tshabangu and Tinotenda Chokuda of Talen Vision.
