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Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE goalkeeping legend Brenna Msiska has saluted local football academies for taking up the responsibility of identifying and nurturing young talent following the collapse of ZIFA’s development programme several years ago.
Msiska said Zimbabweans needed to appreciate and support the efforts being made by individuals, who have taken it upon themselves to set up academies, as they were ensuring that the conveyor belt of football talent in the country was kept running.
Popularly known as “Baba vaGari’’ in his post playing career, Msiska has been Sunday Chidzambwa’s trusted lieutenant in the history-making coach’s various stints with Zimbabwe’s Warriors where he was the goalkeepers trainer.
Msiska paid tribute to the various academies scattered around the country on the sidelines of a festival hosted by top Harare institution – Legends Football Academy – at Hellenic Sports club.
“Ordinarily, it should be the national association which should be using funds from FIFA to spearhead development but as we have seen in our case with ZIFA those funds are never channeled to junior football.
“So I would like to thank all those involved with academies for coming to the rescue of junior football and providing a platform for young talent to be identified and grow.
“I am also very unimpressed with the facilities I have seen here at Legends Football Academy where they have kids of almost all age groups being trained by dedicated coaches,’’ Msiska said.
He was also impressed by the potential shown by young players during the two-day festival that drew a number of academies including Majesa of Mutare, Gerald Sibanda’s Real Betis, BJM, Green Stars and the hosts.
Msiska also revealed that he had come out of the sabbatical that followed his last stint with the Warriors at the 2019 African Cup of Nations in Egypt to also lend his hand to junior development.
“At the moment I am also helping out with the young players at Churchill High School at the project being fronted by Bambo (Moses Chunga).
“We all came through the junior ranks and I must say a big thank you to people like Farai Dhliwayo who are investing a lot of resources to give these children proper training and prepare them for their football careers.
“Imagine where would be as a nation if they were getting financial and material support from the association from the funds that are channeled by FIFA?’’ Msiska said.
ZIFA technical director Wilson Mutekede who together with Dhliwayo reportedly crafted the method of festivals instead of tournaments for academy football, emphasised the need to depart from the mentality of competition for young players.
Mutekede said it was important that young players are given an environment to play football without the pressure of wanting to win prizes.
“This is an excellent environment in terms of parading skills from the young boys and since getting here in the morning I have seen three games and more are coming and I have seen young boys enjoying themselves and playing without pressure.
“We have seen even the teams that have played sitting out and watching which is very commendable.
“You see football being played in the right atmosphere which is conducive for learning. I think that is the best way to go,’’ he said.
Mutekede said although the concept of a football festival had begun with the event at Legends Academy, ZIFA would ensure it is spread across the provinces in the country.
“As an association it (the festivals) is one route we have to really pursue and enforce across all provinces. I would like to appreciate the organisers of this festival and say that is the way to go.
“Let the kids play and let them play without any pressure or duress from coaches wanting any silverware, medals or trophies.
“Let them move away from pursuing a player-centred developmental approach to a coach-centred approach where we are trying to get our personal goals and gratify our egos,’’ Mutekede said.
Former Zimbabwe and Motor Action and left back Allan Johnson was also at the festival and liked what he saw.
Johnson who is now into scouting also said festivals gave them a better chance to assess young players and helped do away with the scourge of age-cheating.
Online Reporter