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Lovemore Dube
MADINDA Ndlovu has spoken of his delight in seeing Daniel Msendami rise to the star who is playing in the Champions League today.
Msendami started for Jwaneng Galaxy of Botswana on Saturday evening.
The Batswana champions beat Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco in the opening round of the group stages of the African Champions League away in North Africa.
“I promoted the boy from Bosso90. I saw a great talent in him. I never doubted that he would go places as he appeared to have what it takes and that Highlanders wing flair that has been the foundation of many successful Bosso teams.
“I am happy for all his successes to date in Botswana. I was happy that yesterday he was in the starting line up of Jwaneng when they faced WAC, it shows he has developed to a marvellous footballer,” said Madinda of the winger whose goal was key to dumping Orlando Pirates out of the tournament last month.
Msendami who has so far scored six goals in the Batswana Premiership has been a revelation this season. He joined the club last year from Highlanders FC before he could justify Madinda’s faith in him. After Madinda left for Botswana Msendami was thrown back at Bosso90. Disillusioned he had a trial at Bulawayo City who never saw the value in him until he went to Vubachikwe Mine in the Zifa Central Region where he was tormentor in chief of defenders.
He made a brief return to Highlanders before the Batswanas came knocking.
Msendami has an eye for goal, great dribbling skills and pace like his mentor Madinda during his heydays. Madinda paid tribute to junior development coaches for the work they are doing well.
“Melusi Mabaleka and the other junior development coaches at the club deserve praise. They are working very hard to identify young talent, develop it starting with basics up to a ready to use product,” said Madinda who is never shy to introduce young talent.
He said the future of the club and football lies in junior development.
“Mabaleka represents the future of the club. I am never shy to go and watch their matches to see if there is another gem to pluck out,” said Madinda who has since 1997 been known to bring gems to the club and coaches that have come immediately after his departure seem to benefit from his jewels.
He also challenged elite club coaches to go out and identify talent. Premiership coaches in Zimbabwe have been known to rely on “already-made stars.” “They are ready to use because somebody used them when they were young. We all have to look at development of the clubs, teams and individual players. Let us go out there and identify the boys,” said Madinda. Msendami was in the same group of players like Chicken Inn centre-back Vincent Moyo, Archieford Faira and Andrew Mbeba.
“At times it’s painful to see our boys shining elsewhere. Jwaneng is now reaping fruits of what we worked for, the boy was unfortunately not allowed to shine before his team’s own supporters,” said Madinda.
Online Reporter