Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
SAKUBVA United Academy is providing the backbone for Manicaland as the provincial team departs Mutare today (Friday), for a date with their Masvingo counterparts tomorrow at Victoria High School in the BancABC Roots Impact Programme’s opening round.
The initiative, which brings together the next generation of football talent from across Zimbabwe, has seen seven Sakubva United players — three Under-14s and four Under-16s — selected to represent Manicaland in Masvingo.
In the Under-14 boys are Ngonidzashe Mabhiza, Elton Makunike and Takunda Chihwiyo, while the Under-16 boys are Tinashe Simango, Ngoni Tombo, Washington Ndarumwa and Blessed Dzatsata.
All will be in the thick of things as the junior competition begins.
ZIFA Manicaland provincial chairman, Kuziwa Nyabeze, emphasised that selection was based on merit, and remains continuous as the tournament progresses.
“While some junior football academies that are well established like Sakubva United and La Sakubva made our work easier by providing more players, we are having players that are coming from almost all the districts in Manicaland.
“In fact, the selection process is an ongoing process, and the selection is continuous, so some who might have missed out on the first round of matches might get their chance as the competitions progress,” he said.
Manicaland will use Masvingo as its centrally located home ground, hence the province will host Masvingo in this first round, albeit in Masvingo.
As Manicaland clashes with Masvingo, Harare will face Mashonaland West in Harare, while Mashonaland East take on Mashonaland Central, all on Day One. On Day Two, Mashonaland West will entertain Mashonaland East, while Harare play Mashonaland Central.
Bulawayo will battle Matabeleland North in Bulawayo tomorrow, while Matabeleland South will face Midlands in Bulawayo on Day One.
Day Two will see Matabeleland South face Matabeleland North, while Bulawayo take on Midlands in Bulawayo.
Nyabeze confirmed that the team is departing today, Friday.
“We are dispatching our team to Masvingo for their first encounter of the BancABC Roots Impact Programme. We are confident that we have done a good job in selecting the right players both in terms of age as well as merit,” he said.
CAF D coaching badge holders have been assigned to the teams.
For Manicaland Under-16 boys, Reactors Junior Football Club co-founder, Muvhuro Chipika is head coach, assisted by Glenn Mahati.
The Under-14 boys are coached by Nyarai Masunde, assisted by David Chinai, while Zenzele Musikavanhu will coach the Under-16 girls, assisted by Sakubva United’s Wendy Gowero.
For the Under-14 girls, Givemore Mutumani is head coach, assisted by Keith Musabayana.
The coaches were also selected on the basis of having undertaken the FIFA Safeguarding Course, in line with the need to protect the minors in their care. The BancABC Roots Impact Programme is aimed at transforming youth football in Zimbabwe through a structured, nationwide development pathway.
