Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
FOUR Mutare-born teenagers carry the hopes of a nation onto the world stage, having been selected as part of Zimbabwe’s 24-man squad participating in the inaugural FIFA Under-15 World Cup and Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The high-stakes tournament kicked off yesterday (Thursday) and concludes next Friday, offering a watershed moment for the nation’s rising football stars.
The quartet – Sakubva United Soccer Academy’s Ngonidzashe Tombo, Reactors and MAJESA product, Adam Adamu, Manicaland Christian’s Takunda Sithole, and Bulawayo Chiefs’ Dwayne Musona, who traces his roots to MAJESA Academy —join players selected by head coach, Backlyfield Chivenga from secondary schools across the country as the Young Warriors prepare for the elite international competition.
The tournament presents a rare opportunity for Zimbabwe’s young footballers to measure themselves against peers from around the world and gain valuable early developmental exposure and experience.
Zimbabwe competes in the qualifying group stage against Cambodia, England, Montenegro, Nicaragua, and the Republic of Ireland. These matches test the Young Warriors against diverse footballing backgrounds.
Sakubva United Soccer Academy financier, Washington Mandizha, who grooms talented youngsters, including central midfielder, Tinashe Simango, thanked selectors for recognising Tombo.
Mandizha said: “I want to thank the Under-15 national selectors for noticing Ngoni’s capabilities. He has worked so hard throughout the season, and I am happy to see him where he is today. At SUSA, we always tell our boys to be driven by excellence, and everything else comes as a bonus. I hope the boy remains grounded and focused.”
Tombo, named best player for the Under-16 category in the recent BancABC Roots Impact Programme Tournament, boasts a bright future.
Mandizha said: “No doubt, he is an exceptionally fine player with a great future ahead of him. This is raw talent that was identified and moulded into a complete player. With the level of discipline that he possesses, I have no doubt that we will get to witness more achievements from the young man.”
Reactors Football Academy co-founder and coach, Muvhuro ‘Sir Monday’ Chipika, said: “It shows quality work being done at Reactors, baking youngsters at the right football temperature. It is inspirational to the others.”
Gumisai Mawadzi, director of Manicaland Christian Schools and Tisu Anhu Acho Football Academy in Florida, Mutare, said: “I am a strong believer in both education and sports, and this is the reason why I gave up a good life in London to come back home equipped with the burning urge to put Mutare on the global arena through working with young people. With God, all things are possible. After starting the school in 2015, we started a football academy in 2023. More sports academies are on the way including talent identification in many areas.”
Apart from the Manicaland trio, the provisional selection features players from Prince Edward, Pamushana High, Guinea Fowl High, and Sobukhazi High.
The competition utilises an eight-a-side format rather than conventional 11-a-side play.
Each match consists of two 20-minute halves, with eligibility limited to players born in 2011 or 2012.
Matches take place at the Hovsan Competition Complex, with tier finals scheduled for Crystal Hall in Baku.
Representatives from 191 FIFA Member Associations participate, providing global engagement. For Zimbabwe, this platform builds crucial experience.
Under-15 Squad:
Adam Adamu (Reactors Football Academy and Chikanga Secondary), Munanawashe Bote (Prince Edward), Tawanda Chigango and Dylan Chazika (Pamushana High), Munashe Chipfumbu (Somvubu Secondary), Wayne Gwena (Prince Edward), Ryan Kandasi (Pamushana Secondary), Freeman Kaunje (Herentals College), Walter Mabedhla and Panashe Majasi (Guinea Fowl High), Moses Maremudze (Rusununguko High), Dylan Matsheza and Thiolee Mutenha (Prince Edward), Addie Musandipa (Wanganui High), Dwayne Musona (Christian Brothers College) and Raymond Moyo (Sobukhazi High), Benjamin Mupfurutsa (St George’s College), Prince Nkomozani (Eagle College), Marlvin Ngulube (Sobukhazi High), Tinashe Ngirazi (Rujeko High), Takunda Sithole (Manicaland Christian Schools and Tisu Anhu Acho Academy), Thabiso Siziba (Sizane High), Ngoni Tombo (Sakubva United Soccer Academy and Kiddie College Senior School), and Marlon Zuruvu (Chipindura High).
