Former Byo Chiefs player gives back to the community

Sisasenkosi Ncube/Rutendo Karuva
FORMER Bulawayo Chiefs Football Club midfielder, Dalubuhle Maphosa has decided to give back to the community by opening a football academy in Entumbane suburb.

Maphosa, who unwillingly hung his boots two years ago after a series of ankle injuries, could not be separated from football, so he decided to form his City Rovers Academy which also doubles as a football team and nurtures youngstersa�� talent at a tender age of six.

a�?During my playing days, I noticed that there is no proper coaching of youngsters, once scouts see that a boy has talent they just throw them to big leagues without developing the talent further and at the end of the day they become unfinished products,a�? Maphosa said.

He added that, the initiative spanned two years and had seen over 50 players joining the academy which has U12, U14, U16 and U18 age groups.

For the past two years, the academy has been working on its identity and building a strong competitive team which can compete with teams in other lower divisions of Zimbabwean football.

a�?We have achieved that goal of building a competitive team and we will be hoping to register with Serie B league next year. Currently the only challenge that we have is securing a sponsor but we have been reaching out to community members to assist us in any way they can,a�? said the former Quelaton and Njube Sundowns player.

Maphosa, who is also working with former Dynamos and Zimbabwe Saints football legend Godfrey Paradza, said the academy had produced two players who have joined competitive leagues in Bulawayo with one player moving to division three side, Thorngrove and the other one securing a place at Serie Aa��s Real Stars.

a�?We are hoping that, by 2020, we will be a recognised football academy for youngsters to come and further their talent,a�? Maphosa said.