malvernmugadzikwa
Online Reporter
FORMER Dynamos skipper Stephen Alimenda, who was instrumental in DeMbare’s last league title in 2014, is hosting a junior football tournament in Harare on Saturday.
Alimenda retired from the game in 2017 and is now into junior football development through the Alimenda Stephen (A.S) Academy, which is based in Harare’s high-density suburb of Glen Norah.
The academy will host an Under-13 tournament at Glen Norah A community grounds on Saturday.
“With proper development and resources, the players I am dealing with here in Glen Norah can go places,” says Alimenda, who also played for Highlanders and CAPS.
“That’s why we are inviting people to come and watch junior football on Saturday. Talent is still there in the ghetto; the academies are trying their best to develop these players under difficult conditions.”
Over 10 teams from Harare and surrounding areas have confirmed their participation.
A.S Academy, Youngsters, Tendai Strikers, Mobile Academy, Gate Man, Chukuse Academy, King Juniors Academy, Sun City Youth Academy, 1 Touch, Cross Power, FC Glens and AK Galaxy will grace the tourney.
“Football development needs the involvement of all stakeholders; that’s why we are also appealing to the corporate world to chip in with more resources.
“This tournament will showcase some of the best Under-13 players in Glen Norah and surrounding areas. We have teams coming from as far as Mt Darwin,” he added.
Bongani Ndlovu