adminTakudzwa Chitsiga
Sports Reporter
UNITED States-based former Dynamos juniors’ player Tinashe Simbo is set to join the trenches of grassroots football development when he launches a football tournament to be held in Harare later this year.
The inaugural Tinashe Simbo Under-14 and under-18 Soccer Tournaments will take place at Support Unit Police Camp.
The tournament will see several top academies from in and around Harare battling it out for floating trophies and medals.
Simbo, who is turning out for Ottawa University popularly known as OUAZ Spirit, said he is looking forward to a successful tournament which he hopes to turn into an annual event.
The 24-year-old Simbo made history when he was named in the 2021 NAIA Men’s Soccer All-America Team as a freshman.
Of note will be the revival of the rivalry between Harare’s vibrant soccer academies, City Academy and Friendly Academy, who are also expected to take part in the inaugural tournament.
Support Unit Juniors, who are under the tutelage of Simon Mayakayaka, will be at home and are aiming towards pulling a record for the attendance of any junior football games.
The football fiesta is the brainchild of United States based former Dynamos junior, Simbo, whose passion for junior football dates back from his playing days’ back home.
“I am going to sponsor a junior soccer tournament which will be held at Support Unit Police Camp with the help of my teammate Devin Franklin.
“The tournament is aimed at giving prospective young players an opportunity to be scouted and get an opportunity to play college and professional football abroad.
“I come from Support Unit Police Camp, an area which I believe has talent but no one comes there to scout or search for talent. I was fortunate that I played for Dynamos Juniors, but my chances of being scouted playing in Support Unit were very slim.
“We are expecting the tournament to have scouts and some former players like Norman Maroto, Kudzai Chitima and Norman Togara, among several others. My intention is to give young players who come from poor backgrounds a chance.
“I grew up in Support Unit Police Camp where I started playing football at the age of seven under coach Mayakayaka. I always had a dream to be the first person in my family to graduate from college with a degree and to get a professional contract which I am aiming to get in the near future,” said Simbo.
Friendly Academy coach and executive director Sydney Matanhike said they were ready for the tournament.
“We are happy to be part of the tournament and we are looking forward to give our opponents a good run. The platforms are good for us as they give young players opportunities to showcase their talent,” said Matanhike.
The teams that are expected to participate include: Support Unit Academy, City Academy, DZ Academy, PE Academy, Friendly Academy, BJM Academy, RSF Academy, All Stars Academy, Black Eagles Youth Soccer Academy, Golden Eagles Academy, Jordan Stars Academy, Power 11 Academy.
Online Reporter