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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
UNITED States of America-based former Highlanders and Young Warriors coach Methembe Ndlovu will oversee a two-day football scholarships trials organised by Harare’s BN Academy Trust next month.
BN Academy director Bhekimpilo Nyoni said Ndlovu, who is the head coach at Trinity College in the USA, is expected in Harare on January 2, 2023.
The trials which are open to talented young academically gifted football players between the ages of 15-19 years are scheduled for January 3-4 at Belgravia Sports Club.
Nyoni said registration is in progress and they are aiming at having 30 players being assessed for football scholarship opportunities.
“Registration for the BN Academy Trust soccer scholarship opportunities is open and it’s on a first-come, first-serve basis. Renowned trainer Methembe Ndlovu, whom we have previously worked with when he brought some coaches to come and assess the boys will be coming on January 2 to have a look at the boys.
“We’ve sent out fliers on social media platforms calling for interested athletes to register for these trials which could be a lifetime opportunity for some of the boys,” Nyoni said.
The BN Academy director said what led Ndlovu who has facilitated football scholarships for academically gifted footballers who include former Bantu Rovers’ Ezra Siyaduba, Mthabisi Tshuma, Malvin Dube and Mthabisi Sibanda among others, was charmed by a video profile they sent to the US.
“Sometime back I sent a video of one of the young footballers in search of a scholarship and among the coaches who watched it was Methembe Ndlovu.
He was impressed with what he saw and decided that he would be coming to the ground to see the boys. This is why we’ve organised these trials to give opportunities to young footballers. Unfortunately, we can only accommodate a limited number and that is why we’ve said the first 30 to register will be assessed,” said Nyoni.
Registration for the trials is free.
The BN Academy trials will be held less than a month after 35 players were selected during two sets of assessments held over two weeks for academically gifted athletes at White City Stadium, Bulawayo.
Former Highlanders and Young Warriors striker Mkhokheli Dube organised the trials through his Zebra Revolution club in preparation for American scouts who will identify young footballers for scholarships.
The 35 players who will go for next month’s final trials were selected from a total of 120 participants drawn from across the country. — @ZililoR
Online Reporter