Nkayi Soccer Academy exposes kids

Lovemore Dube, [email protected]

WHEN Nkayi is mentioned in football, many are quick to link the district’s name to a Zifa Southern Region Division One team, Nkayi United, runners-up in last year’s race, who have helped promote the brand Nkayi in the last three years.

They led the race last year, only to falter later in the year and allow Bulawayo Chiefs to be promoted and have started 2026 as firm favourites. Their bid has also been boosted by the club directors’ desire to throw more resources into this year’s campaign. Nkayi United are based in Bulawayo.

But back in the district, a small giant is coming up in the form of Nkayi Soccer Academy, a much organised and seemingly well-resourced football school. The aim is to give the rural boy a chance to pursue schooling and soccer in a better environment with qualified support systems. For their travels, the team hires buses and children are clad in matching tracksuits and tackies.

Nkayi Soccer Academy has been around the district, playing matches against clubs and schools, even in neighbouring districts and have also played in Bulawayo and Hwange. Last week, they took their Under-13s to Harare.

The manager of the academy, Never Sibindi, says the aims of the academy are high. He says the rural areas have the next Peter and Madinda Ndlovus, who are waiting for someone to identify them.

“There are so many talented players crying out in the villages. They want someone to come forward and pick them up, nurture, and polish them for the world. For years, we have been searching for the next Peter and Madinda. I am happy with what our coaches and scouting department are doing; very soon, the country will take note. Already, in women’s soccer, we have a star who has made it into the national team,” said Sibindi.

He said once they identify kids for their academy and start working with them, they find it prudent to expose them to urban life and football.

“We are about life skills and exposure as well. They cannot play in Nkayi only and need to travel and see other places to widen their horizons and appreciation of how far football can take them. That is why we take them from the village and get them to Nkayi Centre, ensuring they get education, live as much as a team as they can, eating the same food and sharing the same blankets. They are all equally treated and carry the same vision and dreams as the others,” said Sibindi.

Last week, the Under-13s were taken to an FC Porto tournament in Harare, and they loved it despite losing their matches.

“Yes, it was a football tour, and they got to play teams from the cities. It was all good, though some of the opponents were bigger. But to be in the capital on a football journey and be told a lot about its football legacy and that the big teams Caps United, Dynamos and Scotland come from there, was good for the kids. They saw our skyscrapers and loved that. On return to Nkayi, they had stories to tell their friends, senior age groups and families,” said Sibindi.

The trip was about football, exposure and geography. “There is a lot that was learned all the way — the mines and industry. They got to appreciate more about soccer and other possible careers. We have planted a seed for the future of the game and other professions,” said Sibindi.

He said Nkayi will, at the end of the year, hold its annual football fiesta and is looking for kids from urban centres like Bulawayo and Hwange to reciprocate.

He said travelling plays a key role in motivating children, as many strive to perform better to be included in trips..

“It is key to have children get to play and travel, it excites them and when resources allow, we travel as Nkayi Soccer Academy,” said Sibindi.

While in Harare, Nkayi Soccer Academy scored big when they watched their first Premiership match, a Caps United versus TelOne clash at Rufaro Stadium.

He said while having a former player in the national team may have come early, Sibindi says in the next 18 months to 36, there will be surprises from their stable.

“We are working hard in an environment where our concept has been well received, with a lot of support coming from the community. There is willingness from many fronts and it’s all up to us to fail on our own. Otherwise, our backers and the community are behind the project,” said Sibindi.

National team player Nokukhanya Masina, a product of Nkayi Academy, was transferred to Somvubu High School in Bubi District, which runs a successful programme.

She played in the CAF Schools Tournament recently in Harare.

“There are so many out there with talent and we are in negotiations for Lobengula Queens and Somvubu to consider another three girls. They will get good exposure that is why we do not stand on the path of players as long as they continue with schooling and football,” said Sibindi.