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Sisa Sihwa, Sports Reporter
FORMER Bantu Rovers winger Fortune “Fokoza” Ncube aims at developing junior footballers in Bulawayo by introducing the Fortune Fokoza Ncube Tournament that will be held next month at Entumbane.
The tournament, which is scheduled for 23 December will be contested for by FMS Academy, Biya & Friends Academy, City Rovers Academy and Flying Stars Academy for the Under-14 age group teams.
Fokoza’s professional career as a footballer ended prematurely after an eye ailment and he turned to junior development in football soon after retirement.
The founder and sponsor of the tourney, Ncube played for several clubs including Hwange FC, Bulawayo Chiefs, Black Mambas as well as Motor Action and hopes to give an opportunity to youngsters to build their careers.
Speaking to Sunday Life Sport Ncube said he organised the tournament as a way of giving back to the community, while giving the youngsters exposure.
“This is the first kind of such a tournament and we look forward to hosting it every year, it promises to be a big event in the development of young footballers in our community,’’ said Fokoza in an interview. We want to afford the youngsters opportunities to build their future around football as it can be a source of livelihood, while keeping them away from social ills,” he added.
He said the motive behind formation of the tournament was to help the community fight against drug abuse.
“Entumbane is known for drug abuse so I want to help our community fight drug abuse through football which is something that the youngsters actively engage in,” he said.
Fokoza revealed that he always had the passion for junior development which influenced him to go that route.
The winners of the tournament will receive a floating trophy, medals, 10 soccer balls and kit.
The best player and coach of the tourney will also be honoured including the best goalkeeper and the top goal scorer.
“I am inviting football lovers to come and support the lads as the tournament is not about an individual but the future of the junior footballers,’’ he said.
Ncube who departed for South Africa early this year is employed as one of the head coaches at Sporting CP Academy, an academy from Portugal which groomed Cristiano Ronaldo.
His career as a coach begun in 2012 with Christians Saints Academy which is based in Harare and worked alongside Peter Ndlovu in the national development side for Under-14 in the same year.
He worked as an assistant and coached at Arenel Movers Division Two outfit and joined ZRP Beitbridge Division One side as the head coach.
@J_Sihwa
Online Reporter