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Raymond Jaravaza, Sports Correspondent
FORMER Highlanders’ midfielder Johannes Ngodzo is tipped to take charge of the Real Betis Academy Zimbabwe Bulawayo chapter when the coaching structure is unveiled within a week.
Ngodzo, who had highly successful coaching stints with Bantu Rovers in the Southern Region First Division, has been recommended for the job by Footballers Union of Zimbabwe president Desmond Maringwa.
Another former footballer and Dynamos legend Murape Murape was unveiled as coach of the Harare chapter of the academy a fortnight ago.
The Real Betis Academy Zimbabwe president Gerald Sibanda revealed that they’ll be launching a Bulawayo centre with a local coach in charge of the ambitious project.
He said a permanent Bulawayo academy centre will be established next year, as they spread their wings to the southern parts of the country, with a number of football camps being rolled out in the City of Kings starting from next month.
“We are still going through our internal processes, checking the CVs we received from Bulawayo-based soccer legends that are interested in joining us in our journey, as we launch a centre in the southern parts of the country. In a week or so we will announce the coach who will be in charge of the Bulawayo centre,” said Sibanda.
Sibanda, is a former Zimbabwe international rugby player and founder and chief executive officer of Athletes Sphere Management that entered into an arrangement with Spanish La Liga outfit Real Betis to establish the academy in the country. The academy targets the development of boys and girls as young as 13 years old, and all admission details will be unveiled when the coaching structure is in place.
“In the interim we are looking at holding three-day football camps every month starting in October where players will be taught the Real Betis Football Club methodology and philosophy,” Sibanda said. — @Raymond Jaravaza
Online Reporter
Sidumisile Mabena