Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
JOEL Ngodzo and Nkululeko Dube, two names once etched in top-flight football, are now rewriting their legacies, this time, from the dusty grounds of Bulawayo’s primary schools.
Ngodzo, a former Soccer Star of the Year, who dazzled for Highlanders, FC Platinum and CAPS United, has teamed up with fellow ex-player Dube, to groom the next generation.
Backed by Mr Sinkwa, the duo has spent the past month coaching kids from 12 schools across the city in a bold grassroots revival.
Their journey culminates this Saturday, with the Mr Sinkwa Junior League Soccer Tournament finals set for Gifford High School.
“This isn’t just about football drills,” said Dube.
“We went around 12 schools and conducted basic grassroots training for both boys and girls, then ran a knock-out competition. The winners are now headed to the finals.
“What struck me was how appreciative the teachers were, just having someone coach the kids uninterrupted by academic lessons really made a difference.”
The schools in the programme are Godlwayo, Dumezweni, Ngwegwe, Babambeni, Mzilikazi, Lozikeyi, Lotshe, Lobengula, Mckeurtain, Induba, Emakhandeni and St Patrick’ primary schools.
Preliminary matches were held at Godlwayo, Babambeni, Mzilikazi, McKeurtain and Sotshangane Grounds, with the group stages wrapping up on July 10.
Four boys’ teams — Emakhandeni, Godlwayo, Ngwegwe and Lotshe, qualified for the finals, while the girls’ section will feature Select Teams from Emakhandeni, Pumula, Mzilikazi and a Coaches Select XI.
Ngodzo says the mission is bigger than just football.
“We’re using the game to keep kids off the streets and away from drugs,” he said.
“It’s about teaching discipline, on and off the pitch. We’re also spreading awareness about the dangers of substance abuse and how it can derail a promising career.”
Mr Sinkwa’s marketing co-ordinator, Amanda Trindade, said the tournament will reward excellence with medals, shields and individual honours.
“We believe that proper coaching at grassroots level unlocks real talent, which is why we’ve deployed former athletes to lead sessions,” she said.
“At Gifford, the top teams will get floating trophies and gold medals, while silver medals go to the runners-up. We’ll also crown the best goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, striker and the overall player of the tournament.”
Trindade added that the initiative is being run in partnership with Ten Toes Africa, whose regional technical director Allan Johnson, once of Dynamos and the Warriors, will be on hand to speak to the youngsters about the realities of a football career.
Ten Toes, an international NGO, has helped several talented African players secure scholarships in the US, giving hope that dreams born on the playground can one day take flight.
