Is this the real bouncing back of Chikwata?

Fungai Muderere
CHAUYA Chikwata!

Ita��s a throwback in nostalgic fashion for Zimbabwe Saints with one of the teama��s prominent sons leading the teama��s revival from grassroots level.

Former Saints midfielder Eddie Mukahanana, based in Europe and largely involved with coaching young children, announced the birth of Saints FC Academy, a programme they will do in conjunction with Bulawayoa��s Hamilton High School.

a�?We will soon be launching our professional soccer academy (Saints FC) in partnership with Hamilton High School. The Saints Academy at Hamilton High will serve the purpose of providing high-school aged athletes direct opportunities to pursue their passion to play professional soccer or receive university scholarships,a�? said Mukahanana.

He added: a�?The academy will provide proven training methods, high level coaching staff, training intensity, fitness demands and psychological make-up for elite soccer players to improve performance levels and to obtain the sustainable tools that will allow them to successfully reach and compete in the professional stage.a�?

For their 2018 January intake, Mukahanana said the academy would recruit 30 pupils ranging from 14 to 16 years.

a�?We need to elevate performance levels of the players and we can only do this in a special environment, an environment where they see it and experience it every day,a�? said Mukahanana.

The now defunct Zimbabwe Saints senior team was in the past few years booted out of the Division Two League after failing to pay affiliation fees and for not fulfilling three consecutive matches.

Fondly known as a�?Chauya Chikwataa�?, Zimbabwe Saints, was one of the countrya��s famed clubs once home to exciting players that included Henry McKop, Muzondiwa Mugadza, Ephraim Chawanda, Ronald a�?Gidizaa�? Sibanda and Agent a�?Ajiraa�? Sawu among others.