Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Murape Murape , formerly with Real Betis Academy, a Harare-based nursery that has links with the Spanish LaLiga side, is now a football tutor at Heritage School, where he has established another synergy with another club in Spain.
Thanks to Murape’s network, Heritage have partnered Spanish top-flight side Real Oviedo and the academy is now known as Heritage Real Oviedo Football Academy Zimbabwe.
They are currently in Spain as guests of Real Oviedo, who have promised to offer local boys a platform to break into Europe.
Among the players in Spain include promising 18-year-old winger-cum-striker Thapelo Pande, who is currently training with Real Oviedo’s main academy.
Murape tips Thapelo, who is the son of black economic empowerment activist James Pande, to break into Europe.
Heritage Real Oviedo Football Academy works with players aged between seven and 17 but according Murape, Pande was an exceptional case.
“We came with different age groups, from nine-year-olds right up to Under-17s.
“We recruited Pande last year, also at the recommendation of Charlie Jones, who is also our director, and we have been working with him over that period.
“We are convinced this talent is special and deserves to be seen by the Real Oviedo coaches.
“His programme is different from the other boys because he is on trials for a place in the club’s main academy.”
Murape is a former Dynamos captain and assistant coach, who was won four straight league titles between 2011 and 2014 under trailblazing coach Kalisto Pasuwa.
A winner of the 2007 Castle Soccer Star of the Year, is regarded as one of the most influential players ever to wear the Dynamos shirt and was part of the late David Mandigora’s side that reached the CAF Champions League in 2008.
Since his retirement, Murape has been concentrating on junior football development.
He worked at Gerald Sibanda’s Real Betis Academy Zimbabwe before starting the Heritage School project.
And he thinks in Pande, he may have unearthed a gem.
“We spoke to Real Oviedo coaches about this boy and they allowed us to bring him so that they can be up close with the player.
“Pande is enjoying his training with the main academy. There are matches lined up for him, he will play three matches before we go back to Zimbabwe.
“Real Oviedo have a scholarship programme, so should he impress, he can get a scholarship to also study at the University here.
“Remember our program combines both football and education,” said Murape.
Murape has also been charmed with the reception his boys got in Spain.
“I was also impressed with the way the boys are being introduced to real football development, not just through training but through nutrition.
“What the young players should eat in their development stage is critical.
“You cannot just eat anything if you are an athlete. The boys have been exposed to several training sessions.
“They are also being taught how to look after themselves.
“The boys are also learning the Spanish language. In fact, our partnership is a combined football and education programme, whereby we want to develop a total human being.”
