Sundaymail Editor
Don Makanyanga
REIGNING Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions Ngezi Platinum Stars have partnered with Wanganui High School of Mhondoro to widen their talent-scouting base.
The focus is on finding raw talent from the rural district.
Ngezi Platinum Stars chief executive officer Amanda Lieto-Nyanzero told Zimpapers Sports Hub that the partnership is part of the club’s initiative to give back to the community, where their mining operations are centred.
“We have partnered with Wanganui High School and we are looking forward to a long-term partnership and it is, of course, also going to touch on the sustainability of the club and giving back to the community because we believe that there is a lot of talent here in Mhondoro,” she said.
“We are looking forward to a long-term partnership that will be able to bring sustainability to the growth of Ngezi Platinum Stars.”
The Premiership champions have already adopted the school’s girls and boys teams as part of the deal.
“We have adopted junior teams from Wanganui High School; that is the Under-15s and Under-17s football teams, with the aim of strengthening our pipeline development from a grassroots level,” she said.
Apart from the latest partnership, Ngezi already has three franchises.
These are the PSL side; the Under-19 team playing in the Northern Region Soccer League (NRSL); and Ngezi Platinum Stars Queens, who are in the Zimbabwe Women’s Soccer League’s top-flight.
Two A-Level learners from Wanganui — Melinda Mugadhla and Nesbert Muzenda — are already on Ngezi’s books. Mugadhla plays for Ngezi Platinum Stars Queens and Muzenda is with the flagship side in the Premiership.
Muzenda is away in Mozambique with the national Under-20 side.
“We are happy to have two learners from the school currently within our ranks, playing at the highest level.
“We hope to be able to strengthen young sportsmen and sportswomen to have a balance between education and sports, and we would want our development teams to be enrolled at Wanganui High School,” Lieto-Nyanzero said.
Wanganui High School football team coach Edgar Mubango hailed the coming on board of the platinum miners and reckons his institution will become a football powerhouse in Mashonaland West province.
“We have discovered that there are some Premier Soccer League teams that are also partnering with some neighbouring schools. These schools have been doing well at national events.
“We believe that, with this partnership with Ngezi Platinum Stars, we are going to be a football powerhouse in the province and at national level.”
Ngezi have already provided the school with two playing kits, for the boys and girls teams, and training equipment.
Online Reporter