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Esrom Nyandoro has shared his thoughts on why the number of Zimbabweans is declining in the South Africa DStv Premiership, revealing one question often asked by football enthusiasts.
The Mamelodi Sundowns legend is saddened by the declining number of Zimbabwean soccer players in the DStv Premiership. Seven Zimbabweans have retained their places in the league.
These are Sundowns’ Divine Lunga, Terrence Dzvukamanja, Ronald Pfumbidzai, Onismor Bhasera and Washington Arubi, who are at SuperSport United. Polokwane City FC’s Douglas Mapfumo and Golden Arrows’ Knox Mutizwa complete the list. In addition, the likes of Elvis Chipezeze, Edmore Chirambadare and Ishmael Wadi have only managed to remain afloat in the Motsepe Foundation Championship (Division One).
Nyandoro, who has seen it all in the lucrative South Africa league after a memorable career, opines that Zimbabwe must go back to basics to re-establish robust player development. Further, in his blunt assessment, Nyandoro first admitted that Zimbabwe’s quality has drastically declined in football.
The question Esrom Nyandoro has often been asked is,
“When I go out and talk to people, they ask me who is going to be the next (Tinashe) Nengomasha, the next (Willard0) Katsande? But I don’t have the answer for that because the quality back home (Zimbabwe)has changed and it’s not looking good, Nyandoro told FARPost.
“Back then, people would criticise those who moved to South Africa, asking why not go to Europe. For some time, I thought that was what people wanted. But now, look, there is no movement into SA, and the quality is going down. It could be worse if no action is taken.”
Secondly, Nyandoro suggested a return to basics so as to re-establish Zimbabwe’s conveyor belts of football development. He added: “I came from a vibrant AmaZulu structure in Zimbabwe under Delma Lupepe; Nengomasha came from Black Aces. Knowledge Musona came from the Aces Youth Soccer Academy (AYSA). And then, you ask where our current Zimbabwean players are coming from?. It’s no surprise that we are having few players in the DStv Premiership. Moreover, there is a need to go back to the basics to invest time in player development. The standard has dropped and it’s affecting our prospects. Lastly, all anchors on administration. Right now, there is a temporary Zifa administration. I’m not sure if they have done something to support the available football development institutions.” (Source: farpost.co.za)
derick.khumalo