Let’s have a 10-year plan: Mapeza on catching up with Africa big leagues

FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza has revealed what Zimbabwe clubs ought to do to emulate Mamelodi Sundowns and top South Africa Betway Premiership soccer teams.

Mapeza, who is currently at the helm of FC Platinum, believes the failure to identify talent has left Zimbabwean football stagnant. Teams in Zimbabwe have sadly struggled to strike the right chords when it comes to continental club competitions.

In addition, there has been limited player movement beyond the country’s borders. No single Zimbabwean player moved to the Betway Premiership in the last two transfer windows.

Marshall Munetsi, who switched from French Ligue 1 side Stade Reims to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English Premier League, is the only Zimbabwean who made a major move.

The former Chippa United (South Africa) mentor believes the problem is rooted in the failure to invest in junior structures. Mapeza is therefore advocating for a 10-year plan to set up a PSL Reserve League.

“There is no local club that is ready to really compete in the Caf Champions League or any other continental games. I think we are a little bit behind in terms of everything. That’s my opinion. I don’t know what other people think,” Mapeza told Zimpapers Sports Hub.

“We tend to have high expectations and be forced to go there because we will seek to give players that exposure and experience, but in the past five years, our league has not been producing real quality players.

“It’s either Manica Diamonds gets a player from FC Platinum or FC Platinum gets a player from Highlanders, or Scottland FC will get a player from Simba Bhora.

“It has been all about player exchange between clubs. What about the young stars? Let’s have a proper grassroots programme like in South Africa.”

Mapeza added: “Let’s have a 10-year plan; we need to have sound junior structures. If we do that, we will have the quality to compete.

“Let’s start from somewhere, whether for clubs or national teams, and then we can say, ‘Look, we had 10 years of planning. Where did we get it wrong?’ Because for now, we can’t.

“From here, maybe I will need to go get some players, maybe from CAPS United. What about these juniors? If we do not get those things in place, there will be nothing for us.” (farpost.co.za)