Kwekwe revives junior football

Langton Nyakwenda
Sports Reporter

SEEDS of football development have been sown and much is now expected from a new programme that could see Kwekwe regaining its long-lost reputation.

The city could be reawakening if current developments in the Midlands town are anything to go by.

The famed “headquarters’’ of football development, which has produced a number of reputable players over the years, had unfortunately gone into slumber in recent years.

Yesteryear stars like 1984 Soccer Star of the Year James Takavada, the late Ephraim Dzimbiri, Frank Mkanga, Benedict “Grinder” Moyo and ex-Dream Team member Paul Gundani (late) are some of the big names that were churned out by Kwekwe in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Then there was also a successor generation that included Kennedy Nagoli, Luke Petros, Nesbert Gwede, Godfrey Tamirepi, Shadreck “Ziguru” Malunga, Petros “Cosafa” Sibanda, Steven Alimenda, Washington Arubi, Tafadzwa Dube and Justice Majabvi.

They all trace their roots to Kwekwe.

Sadly, the town, which used to boast Premier Soccer League teams like Lancashire Steel, Kwekwe Cables and Chrome Stars, no longer has a top-flight team.

Their only pride is Kwekwe United, who are playing in the Central Region Division One League.

The unfortunate turn in fortune is blamed on the dearth of junior football in a town whose major football facilities such as Mbizo, Baghdad, Torwood and Amaveni have also been run down.

However, it looks like Kwekwe is slowly drifting back to its default settings, thanks to the emergence of various football academies such as Amaveni Football Academy, Simbarashe Gate and the recently formed Football Academy Kwekwe.

Respected junior football development guru Lloyd “MaBlanyo” Chigowe has already been enlisted to help set up structures for the Kwekwe Junior League.

The ultimate goal is to establish a well-structured Midlands junior league.

“Kwekwe is now alive again,” Chigowe told The Sunday Mail Sport.

“I have advised on the structure to be adopted. I can say Kwekwe is now part of the Zimbabwe Junior Football Development League.”

Vumbachikwe coach Gatsi Mukombwe and former Under-20 player Philip Makanje are spearheading the restructuring exercise.

“Kwekwe is an awakening giant. Gweru, the commercial capital of the Midlands, is also finalising its structures.

“Zvishavane has a complete structure, so very soon Midlands, including rural districts, will be complete.

“In fact, I am glad that despite resistance from some myopic football leaders, the vision has caught on like a veld fire.

“This is not about greed, money or personal glory, this is the only way to unearth talent from every corner of the country,” said Chigowe.

Amaveni Football Academy head coach Shaiso Chiduku is proud some of his junior players have already attracted interest from big clubs like FC Platinum and Ngezi Platinum Stars.

Chiduku’s academy caters for players from Under-10 to Under-20.

“We have been trying since the official launch of our academy last year,” said Chiduku, a former Air Zimbabwe Jets goalkeeper.

“We have three players who are now on a scholarship programme with FC Platinum.

“We also have a player at Ngezi Platinum Stars Under-19.

“As Amaveni, we are looking forward to exciting times. This year we need to push and produce more good players.

“There are a number of people who are willing to assist us. We have a lady based in the United Kingdom, Miriam Hakata, who has been assisting with equipment.

“We want to have players from as far as Zhombe and other Kwekwe rural areas … Future national team players should come from Kwekwe.”

Their academy has three directors — Tawanda Phiri, Raphael Mwanza and Chiduku — while the city council also has a stake.

Former Lancashire Steel and Gunners star Thanks Tengwe has also started his own academy in partnership with former Ivan Hoe director Kun Dongo.

Football Academy Kwekwe was launched early this month.

“As a former player, I always had a dream of one day starting my own football academy because I know the importance of junior development.

“I am aware we are failing as a country in terms of junior football development. But I always asked myself what are we doing to help the situation as former players,” said Tengwe.

“That was the reason I founded Football Academy Kwekwe with the assistance of Dongo.

“A lot of youngsters are coming forth. The good thing is Kwekwe has abundant talent at grassroots … We are in the process of setting up a Kwekwe Junior League with the assistance of Chigowe, who is an expert in that area.”

The academy is also being supported by companies such as Zim Mining Consultants and Doves.