Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
FORMER Warriors captain Benjani Mwaruwari has raised the red flag over the glaring absence of players from traditional giants — Black Rhinos, Caps United, Dynamos, Highlanders, and Hwange — in the Zimbabwe Under-17 squad set to compete at the Cosafa tournament this weekend.
Mwaruwari, himself a product of the once-vibrant Bulawayo Junior Soccer League, said the collapse of junior development structures is killing the country’s football future. His concerns were echoed by Zifa Southern Region boss Lloyd Munhanga and soccer supporters’ association official Adomsi Mukasi.
The former Manchester City striker blasted the chaotic player selection process, saying it was designed to benefit a select few.
“Last month, players were called for trials in Harare with less than 24 hours’ notice. That automatically shut out kids from rural areas and smaller towns, leaving room only for those with money and connections,” fumed Mwaruwari.
He said that in a proper system, there would be no need for last-minute trials as players would already be identified through clear, transparent structures.
“Right now, chaos is the order of the day. This setup favours private academies, not raw talent. It’s shocking that clubs like Caps, Rhinos, Highlanders, and Dynamos have failed to maintain proper junior teams. Even clubs like FC Platinum and Ngezi Platinum, who are keen on development, are struggling to produce players,” he said.
With Zimbabwe set to compete on the regional stage, Mwaruwari warned that without strong grassroots structures, the national team will continue to lag behind, relying on makeshift solutions rather than sustainable development.
