malvernmugadzikwa
Langton Nyakwenda
FORMER Dynamos star Samson Choruwa might have faded into oblivion since a nasty knee-injury cut short his promising career in the early 2000s, but his amazing talent is something that Zimbabwe legend Peter Ndlovu still talks about today.
Ndlovu has been in the country since Thursday, and yesterday, he visited FC Porto Academy in Harare and addressed the players. He gave a touching speech on how he rose from being a simple boy in Makokoba, Bulawayo, to become the first African player to feature in the English Premier League back in 1992.
The former Warriors captain is now the team manager at South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns, but still follows the local Premiership with keen interest.
He is planning to watch today’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match between Dynamos and Ngezi Platinum Stars at Rufaro Stadium.
“That’s a big game and I want to be there tomorrow (today). I am always following the Zimbabwean top-flight, but I want to be up close with the local talent,” he said. “After the game, I will give an honest analysis.”
The former Coventry City star believes Zimbabwe still has talent and urged national team coaches to give local players a chance.
“We have always had good players in this country. There was this boy from Dynamos, Choruwa. What a talented player he was!” he said. “It’s sad I got to play with him in the national team for a few moments. I would have loved to play with Choruwa for a long time.”
Choruwa starred for the famed Dynamos’ Kidznet project of the early 2000s before injury forced him into retirement.
Back then, there were a few academies in the country and Ndlovu feels that was a disadvantage for yesteryear players.
He moved straight from Highlanders to Coventry as a teenager in 1991.
“Young players of today have got the platforms to showcase their talents and market themselves. So, we should applaud academies like FC Porto,” said Ndlovu.
“We should appreciate efforts being made by people like Cobert Chimedza (FC Porto Academy owner). He is giving back to the community in a way. Football keeps these kids away from dangerous things like drug abuse and early pregnancies.
“But we need to have coaches who teach these kids the right things. Sometimes it’s not necessary to teach an eight-year-old boy tactics, no, that’s the age when these boys should play freely and express themselves.”
For Ndlovu, the fact that Premier Soccer League (PSL) football is now spread across the country is proof that Zimbabwe has talent everywhere.
“There are some PSL teams that have inspired players. You look at Chegutu Pirates; they are now playing in the top-flight,” he said.
“We still have the talent here; what’s important is for us to identify potential and then develop it. Even at national team level, we should try and go local first, then blend with good foreign-based players.
“We have almost 30 players playing in different leagues in Europe and that also tells you the potential we have as a country.”
Chimedza was humbled by Ndlovu’s presence.
“I am sure these young players will be inspired,” he said. “The idea is to give an opportunity to the less-advantaged and also give them the necessary support.
“I grew up in the high-density suburb of Mufakose and there are things I wished to have which I couldn’t get. But now that I can give back, I will support these talented young players.
“I believe football is a unifier; it brings people from different backgrounds together. Football also helps in the fight against drug abuse.”
Online Reporter