Luphahla takes talent search to rural Plumtree

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
ARGUABLY the best football export from Tsholotsho and ex-Highlanders’ winger Joel Luphahla (pictured) took his talent identification mission to Gonde Primary School in Khuphula Village, Bulilima District, where he was a guest in a two-day Kudzanani End-of-year football tournament.

Popularly known as Dubai, the former national team attacking midfielder said there is abundant talent in rural areas and believes that by attending the tournament, which was won by Harare side Toobs FC, the rural-based budding players were inspired by his presence and that of active footballers.

Highlanders’ goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda and ex-Zimbabwe Saints, Dynamos, How Mine and Bosso goalie Munyaradzi Diya, who now plays for Golden Eagles in the Zifa Northern Region Division One, also graced the tournament that ended on Wednesday.

Toobs won all their matches against Zuzaphi, Muke, Khame, Tsukuru and Redbulls Gonde in a tournament played in a round-robin format.

Luphahla, the head coach of ambitious Harare-based First Division side Golden Eagles, said: “I come from the rural areas and someone saw something in me hence they encouraged me to move from Tsholotsho to Bulawayo. Football took me to places I never imagined I would go to and now as a coach, I believe that I also have a duty to go outside towns to rural communities and search for talent. I’ve always done that since becoming a coach and I must say there are one or two players that impressed me and I’ll keep track of them.”

Luphahla led TelOne FC into the Premiership in 2019, having had coaching stints in Harare where he nurtured national team midfielder Gerald Takwara and Highlanders’ Adrian Silla. He also coached in Beitbridge.

Nesbert Dube of Muke, who won the goalkeeper of the tournament award and player of the tournament Mbonisi Dube also of Muke, impressed Luphahla.

The competition was sponsored by Mbonisi Sibanda, as part of giving back to Gonde Primary where he did his Grade 1 in 1984 before moving to Zengeza in Chitungwiza to complete his primary school.

Sibanda is a technician, who set up TOOBS Engineering, a company that specialises in fuel tanks, tanks installation, pump installation, maintenance, repairs and calibration.

Toobs FC donated their winners’ prize money of R4 500, football kit and three match balls to Gonde Primary.
Runners-up Muke got R3 300, a kit and match ball.

For finishing third, fourth, fifth and sixth place, Tsukuru, Khame, Redbulls and Zuzaphi each get R1 800, R1 100, R800 and R500 respectively plus a match ball each. — @ZililoR