Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube,Zimpapers Sports Hub
FORMER Warriors captain Benjani Mwaruwari has bemoaned the absence of Black Rhinos, Caps United, Dynamos, Highlanders and Hwange players in the Under-17 national soccer team set to take part in the Cosafa tournament kicking off this weekend.
Mwaruwari, a product of the Bulawayo Junior Soccer League, said the lack of development structures was to blame. His sentiments were also echoed by Adomsi Mukasi of the Soccer Supporters Association and Zifa Southern Region chairman Lloyd Munhanga.
He warned that in the absence of proper structures and clearly defined processes, age-group national team activity will remain shrouded in controversy.
Last month, Mwaruwari criticised the selection process after players were asked to report to Harare in less than 24 hours for trials. That directive meant players from other towns and rural areas could not avail themselves for the exercise, leaving “the haves” to benefit.
“Without proper development structures, chaos will prevail. In a proper setup, there is no need for trials; it’s the processes that are transparent, laid bare, so that the best possible talent, regardless of financial position, gets selected. Present situation favours academies not talent. It is inconceivable that today we are saying Caps, Rhinos, Highlanders and Dynamos’ development structures have crumbled. There are new teams like FC Platinum and Ngezi keen on junior development and are struggling to produce players,” said Mwaruwari.
