Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
NDODANA Masuku has a message for Zimbabwe’s top clubs: Stop ignoring talent just because it’s rural.
The outspoken Zifa Assembly member from the Area Zones constituency is urging Premier Soccer League and Division One teams to keep a close eye on his vibrant football project in the heart of Hwange District, Matabeleland North Province.
At the centre of it all is the Rhino Cup Champions League, a 20 team competition based near Dete, just 25km from Hwange National Park’s Main Camp. The league does not just raise awareness about animal conservation, it’s quietly producing serious football talent.
“These boys are playing week in, week out. The average age is 25, and the competition is fierce. We’ve got players who are ready to make the leap,” said Masuku.
He is not just talking. Enock Moyo, one of the league’s 2023 standouts, made headlines after joining Bikita Minerals alongside match and performance analyst Asheley Ndebele.
Moyo went on to represent Zimbabwe in last year’s Cosafa Cup and this season, he is now with Castle Lager Premier League champions Simba Bhora, preparing for Caf Champions League action in August.
“He’s proof of what this league can produce. Ours is an open invitation to scouts, come pluck these boys out of amateur football. A great number deserve a chance,” Masuku declared.
Right now, all eyes are on Abiud Nkomazana, the league’s hottest striker.
The 22-year-old has smashed in 19 goals from just 16 games, single handed keeping his side afloat at 13th on the table.
“I don’t doubt his pedigree,” Masuku said. “He’s scoring for fun, 19 out of his team’s 29 goals. That says everything. He’s got the physique, temperament and hunger to succeed. Somebody must come and take him away. He’ll be an inspiration for many, proving football talent can be a life changer.”
Nkomazana dreams of playing for either Hwange or Highlanders.
Masuku believes Area Zone football still plays a critical role in the country’s football pyramid, offering an essential bridge between the grassroots game and the professional stage.
“The rise of Moyo and Ndebele has done a lot for our image. They’ve become ambassadors of what Area Zones, especially here in Hwange, can offer,” he added.
Bongani Ndlovu