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Veronica Gwaze
Sports Reporter
THE dreams of thirty young girls from rural Masvingo could be fading and their lives shattered in the process.
In the face of societal immoralities, female soccer has proved to be a savior for this particular group of girls.
And yet financial constraints seem to threaten the existence of the club that has done so much to rescue the lives of young girls from social vices.
Growing up in a rural set-up where early marriages, teenage pregnancies, drug and substance abuse have been “normalised” the football pitch has become their only safe space.An interaction with Zimbabwe Women Soccer League debutants Shine-shine F.C one is quickly met by a sad image of visibly dejected girls shabbily dressed in an oversized navy blue kit and worn out boots.
Others are actually playing in their old and discoloured sneakers eerily depicting their quiet and disadvantaged life.
Most of the players are introverts and their characters almost border on timidity and insecurity.Others actually pretend to cherish the pleasantly tranquil interactions amongst themselves. At any of their away matches, just after the game, the team is quick to vanish at any outburst that could upset the poise of their small group. In fact, they generally keep to themselves and have self-imposed a pariah tag on their team.
“They are just a cool, quiet and a fulfilled group of young girls who come from around Masvingo,” said Shine-shine F.C head coach Mavesere Takaendesa.
“Football has become a source of life for them, I wish I had a way to keep their dreams alive.” The new kids who are hamstrung by acute financial challenges currently sit at the bottom of the ZWSL log standings with no point in their three season opening matches.
They recently hogged the limelight after falling 21-0 and 9-0 to defending champions Herentals Queens and Chapungu respectively in their last two outings.
Despite the demotivating result, the coach Takaendesa is not ready to give up on his passion and the calling to rescue young girls from social vices.
His youngest player is Pretty Mbwende, a Chikato Primary School grade seven pupil.
Chikato is also ZWSL’s youngest player of all time.
So far, she has made appearances as a second half substitute in all their fixtures.
“From where I come from, a lot of sad things are destroying young girls and I felt we had to form a team for this noble cause so most of our players are from rural Masvingo,” he said.
“We used to play in the lower division, financially we operate from hand to mouth so back then it was not as tough but the elite league is more demanding.
“We are on a learning curve, we have nothing in our coffers, sponsorship continues to be a challenge for us so we have resolved that it is better to mould players and then let them go, join any club that can give them a better life.
“Some of them lack self-esteem, maybe it is because this is their maiden season in the elite league.
“Mentally, we have to ensure they stay in the game by grooming and reassuring them that they are not inferior at all.”
To fulfil their fixtures, the coaches have to contribute for their team or go into debt.
The situation is so dire that recently, a player’s relative had to provide the team with overnight accommodation and breakfast at her residence in Harare.
“Refreshments are actually a luxury, let alone a first aid kit,” said the gaffer.
“Sometimes I feel like giving up but it is the plight of the girl child that keeps me going but otherwise they (girls) are just doing it for passion.”
Most of the players who helped the team gain promotion into the elite league, said Coach Takaendesa, have left the club for greener pastures, leaving him with the task of having to rebuild.
This season, he said, is therefore a learning curve.
“Most girls here are still amateur, the competition is a new experience for them and I would have wished for them to have a debut season to remember but I failed.”
“If the situation does not improve, I am afraid we may fail to complete the season…I wish cooperates could come on board and assist, we can even rebrand for the good of the girl-child.”
Online Reporter