Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda-Zimpapers Sports Hub
FOUR-TIME Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions FC Platinum have been bragging about their latest discovery.
A 17-year-old fresh-faced boy from Guinea Fowl school in Gweru. They announced the boy on their Facebook page yesterday.
“At 17 years old, Brian Karipi, the youngest player at FC Platinum, is stepping up and training with the senior team.
“Dreams in motion,” bragged the former champions.
Karipi has been promoted from the club’s developmental team as part of efforts to reenergise the squad, following the departure of several senior players including 30-year-old Malawian striker Vincent Nyangulu, Misheck Ngwenya and goalkeeper Wallace Magalane.
Karipi is one of several young players whose names are being mentioned in the current transfer window. The FC Platinum striker is three years older than Bulawayo Chiefs’ new signing Dwayne Musona, who is just 14.
The Majesa academy product has been joined at the Ninjas by 21-year-old striker Denzel Mapuwa, who signed from Legends Academy, having been on loan to relegated GreenFuel.
Witness Shave, who is turning 20 this year, has signed for Dynamos from Triangle United.
Jameson Nduna (17), a product of SuperSport United is also reported to have penned a deal with reigning champions Scottland.
Mabviravira are already home to Tadiwa Chakuchichi, who at 16, was the youngest player to feature at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations which end in Morocco tomorrow.
It’s a development that is exciting a number of junior football coaches including former Prince Edward Academy coach Pathius Mauto.
Mauto has played a critical role in the development of several players including Warriors winger Bill Antonio, now based in Belgium.
“I am very happy to see some youngsters playing for big teams in our local league and even abroad.
“It seems that we have got people that are now realising that football globally is being played by youngsters at a very young age,” said Mauto, who is now at Lions Academy.
“So, I think now the gap between the Premier Soccer League and the junior leagues is being bridged. Most of the talent was taking much longer to be seen but now it’s better, because of better tracking of players.
“It’s also important because most of the talent was being destroyed around the age of 17 or 18.
“Giving young players a chance in the PSL will improve our national team in the long run.
“This development also motivates us to keep churning out talent because we know it’s being absorbed by most of the top-flight clubs.
“We will keep producing more good players and I hope these Premier Soccer League coaches will keep believing in exciting young players, because before they didn’t believe in youngsters,” Mauto said.
Last season’s runners up, MWOS, welcomed 23-year-old midfielder Tadiwanashe Murasiranwa from Bikita Minerals.
Marcelino Mlilo, who was the top scorer in the 2025 Southern Region Soccer League is now at MWOS.
He is also 23.
“A proven finisher with hunger and momentum, ready for the next challenge,” MWOS announced yesterday.
Former Black Rhinos chairman and owner of Mutukwa Academy, Edward Mutukwa, has urged the clubs to go step further and give the “youngsters more game time.”
“I think coaches are now realising the need to inject new blood into their teams.
“But the most important thing is for these youngsters to get as much game time as possible so that they can develop fast and become the next Warriors players.
“If you look at our current national team, it has a good number of young players like Tawanda Chirewa, Bill Antonio, Tawanda Maswanhise and Munashe Garananga, these players are the future of the Warriors.
“Likewise, young players are the future of the Premier Soccer League.
“Old players should eventually pave the way for the new blood because we cannot keep recycling players.
“This is a good development,” added Mutukwa, who was recently elected ZIFA Mashonaland Central Province board chairman.
