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Grace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
FOOTBALLERS Union of Zimbabwe (FUZ) president Desmond Maringwa has challenged Real Betis Academy players to seize the moment as they travel to Europe for a training camp.
Speaking at the academy’s send-off at a local hotel yesterday, the Dynamos legend revealed interesting titbits on how he broke into the national team and made his presence felt in the Warriors team that had foreign-based players like Norman Mapeza, Peter Ndlovu and Kennedy Nagoli.
A total of 24 Real Betis academy players and three coaches, including head coach Murape Murape and director Gerald Sibanda, left the country yesterday for a 10-day trip to Spanish La Liga team Real Betis Balompie.
The departure of the team from Holiday Inn yesterday mid-morning capped the dream tour as the team bus and parents’ cars made a long convoy from Holiday Inn with a police escort in front.
But before the players’ departure, Maringwa charmed the players that range from ages nine and 18 years, as well as parents and guests, as he revealed how he grabbed the opportunity to play in the star-studded team.
“I have played football for so many years and one of the things that I always tell people is about discipline in football. In football, you need to be much more disciplined and you need to have a heart, and love the game.
“We wish you to go there and do your best. This is a perfect opportunity that has been given to the youngsters and you need to grab it with both hands,” said Maringwa.
“I still remember when I was still playing, I was a local player by then, playing for Dynamos and we had so many good players like Peter Ndlovu, Norman Mapeza and Kennedy Nagoli, who were all coming from abroad, and I was a local boy. You know, when it comes to the national team, sometimes when these foreign-based players come in, they will just say ‘well this is just a local player. When the selection comes he will be sent back home and we will be playing.’ But I seized the moment, I seized an opportunity, back then Norman Mapeza was the captain of the team, he was playing the same position that I was playing, I was a defensive midfielder,” narrated Maringwa.
“When we started playing, everyone said ‘wow who is this boy’ the first day came and it went quietly. The second day came and people started asking questions. The third day came and the coach came to Norman and said ‘look captain, I think if you play at the back, and we have this boy play at the defensive midfielder I think we will have a good game,’ and it was a World Cup qualifier against South Africa.
“I seized the moment and became a regular national team player from that day onwards,” he said.
Maringwa urged the players to go and shine in Europe.
“So you guys who are going to Spain, you have been given an opportunity, the parents have worked hard for you to get this opportunity for you to go there. They used a lot of money to develop you and the academy has also used a lot of money to get you where you are.
“So seize the moment and grab the opportunity.
“Be happy and be very confident, don’t be shy and think that because this is a Spanish guy l can’t tackle him. Tackle as much as you can because it’s football and you are blessed to have such a talent and you have reached this stage in your life and are going to Spain because of Betis.
“There is something special in you that you need to have and showcase to the world.
”The world is so huge and waiting for you to show, seize the moment and do your best and listen to the coaches. You will go far,” said Maringwa.
One of the leading goal scorers at the academy, striker Nokutenda Mangezi, who was attached at Dynamos for the past three months in preparation for this trip, said he was looking forward to the lifetime trip.
“I would like to thank my coaches for giving me this opportunity. The time we were waiting for has finally arrived and we wish to go there and do our best,” said Mangezi.
The parents of Kenyon Jardine, Hamish and Chantelle, said they were so excited for their 15-year-old son.
“We are very grateful in this country that we have a European academy training and hosting so we can put or propel our son who is dramatically involved in soccer to go forward, so we are very happy.
He joined the academy a year ago. Kenyon goes to St John’s College and from a very early age has always loved soccer,” said Hamish.
The mother Chantelle, who was over the moon, chipped in as she waved the Zimbabwean flag in the convoy that made its way to the airport.
“I am so excited. We are very grateful for this opportunity that Gerald has organised. I think it has been amazing all the parents have been very supportive, raising funds for our children to go on the tour and we just know that it is an opportunity to see what is out there internationally,” she said.
Players
Chris Kennedy Mugona, Mario Mugona, Christiano Rene Chard, Takunda Munashe Maputseni, Tafara Munashe Maputseni, Miguel Alexander Bones, Malik Makatendeka Moyana, Tadiwa Joshua Chakuchichi, Carl Magwede, Nigel Kelvin Limula, Nokutenda Mangezi, Kenyon Jardine, Tadiwanashe Zimbodza, Anthony Tatendaishe Mudiwa, Tinevimbo josh Nyamuzihwa, Tashinga Emmanuel Muzadzi, Ainsley Murapa, Tadiwa Sean Gundu, Tyler Sunhwa, Russel Tanaka Wushe, Samson Tawananyashe Mwale, Anashe Gilbert Chamunorwa, Jessey Thamsanga Takarupiwa, Ethan Taipanei Tafadzwa Wushe.
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