Chronicle Editor
Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
SOUTH Africa-based former football star, Fortune Ncube says the continued freeze on schools’ sport and juniors’ football in general is a complete disaster.
Ncube, who is now a junior football coach, said with the country heading into its second straight year without juniors’ football and with no clear sign of when it might return, the players’ future was in jeopardy.
Ncube, who also runs the Fortune Fokoza Foundation, sees a bleak future for football in the country.
“The biggest challenge we face is getting these youngsters back on the field of play. It will be difficult to get them back because two years is no joke. At this stage we believe well over 85 percent of the lads have already quit,” said Ncube.
“Given that the same lads are not attending school, I personally feel it is a disaster. These kids are used to the idea that their recreation at school, and with schools closed they’ve obviously urged to other alternatives for recreation, which unfortunately can only be anti-social behaviour and drug abuse.”
Despite the Covid-19 setback, Ncube pledged to continue supporting the growth of junior football in the country.
He has staged junior competitions in his home suburb of Entumbane, Bulawayo and has pledged to resume once the situation normalises. Ncube was forced to retire from playing five years ago after suffering an eye ailment.
He played for Bantu Rovers, Bulawayo Chiefs, Black Mambas, Hwange and Motor Action. He’s a holder of a Caf C Licence and began his coaching career at ZRP Beitbridge FC in the Zifa Central Region Division One league before moving to Arenel Movers where he worked as an assistant coach.
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