adminOne of the directors of the academy, Mike van Rooyen, said they were in a partnership with former Warriors goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar to have some of their players in the South African League.
He said this at the FMH Academy Awards held at the Bulawayo Municipal Sports Club on Sunday.
“We are going to identify some players who could be selected to play in South Africa. Grobbelaar has agreed to partner us in this and we hope that you will excel to be part of those that make it,” he said.
Adam Ndlovu, who was the guest of honour at the event, encouraged the players to work hard in order to excel.
“I have also played in the junior league before but I am here because of discipline. If you are disciplined you will make it. We are here to guide you because this is what you have chosen to do.
“We have to encourage each other to work hard. All of you want to play for the nation and some Premier League teams and it is possible if you work hard. It starts here,” he said.
Bulawayo Junior Soccer League chairman Mkhululi Mthunzi said soccer was no longer played for recreational purposes.
He said for the league to have stiffer competition they had rearranged it and selected 12 teams that were financially stable.
“We saw that we had a number of walkovers and we decided to rearrange the league and selected 12 teams that are financially stable. We are happy to note that we had only a few walkovers this season and competition was stiff,” he said.
Mthunzi said teams had to be patient in their leagues if they wanted to make it to the top.
Some of the players that were given awards include Khaliphani Sibanda, who was the Under-14 Player of the Year, and Munashe Mpambawashe and Shelton Sibanda, who won the same award in the Under-16 and under-18 categories respectively.
Sibanda was also awarded the same in the Division Three category.
FMH Academy is co-directed by France Ndlovu, van Rooyen and Harry Weir.
Awards
Player of the Year: Khaliphani Sibanda (Under-14), Munashe Mupambawashe (Under-16), Shelton Sibanda (Under-18), Shelton Sibanda (Division Three)
Top Goal scorer: Innocent Sibanda (Under-14), Tevin Mabhena (Under-16), Bright Dzowa (Under-18), Bright Dzowa (Division Three),
Most Improved Player: McCarthy Dube (Under-14), Pride Khumalo (Under-16), Polite Mwenda (Under-18), Polite Mwenda (Division Three),
Most Disciplined Player: Handsome Baloyi (Under-14), Lewis Lunga (Under-16), Polite Mwenda (Under-18), Walter Gwebu (Division Three)
Most Consistent Player: Lameck Mafu (Under-14, Ukemtsi Maphahla (Under-14), Tomboy Gakava (Under-16), Bright Khanye (Under-18), Bright Dzowa (Division Three)
Most Promising Player: Takunda Mukaro (Under-14), Gugu Sithole (Under-14), Andile Sithole (Under-14), Khaliphani Sibanda (Under-16), Tomboy Gakava (Under-18), Rasiwe Banda (Division Three), Bright Khanye (Division Three)
Players Player of the Year: Innocent Dube (Under-14), Tevin Mabhena (Under-16), Shelton Sibanda (Under-18), Shelton Sibanda (Division Three)
Goalkeeper of the Year: Cyprien Dlamini (Under-18), Chairman’s Choice
Khaliphani Sibanda (Under-14), Tomboy Gakava (Under-16), Shelton Sibanda (Under-18), Bright Dzowa (Division Three).
Online Reporter